America the Beautiful
This weekend we took a little road trip to visit family and celebrate the Memorial Day weekend together. I took this little trip as an opportunity to really un-plug a bit and spend some quality time with the people who mean the most to me.
I love this song above. I am so thankful to live in this beautiful country and even more than that, I am so thankful for those who made it possible for us to be free.
About 13 years ago I had the opportunity to visit Normandy, France and as I stood on the cliffs above the ocean where our troops stormed the beaches I had a strong realization that we shouldn’t have won that battle. The cliffs were straight down and the German soldiers were at the top shooting down at our troops as they tried to advance. After seeing that view you have to realize that God was in charge that day. He was there with the troops who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms and he was there to strengthen those who made it to the top without their fellow soldiers. He was there to guide those planning each strategic move and He was there with those who were praying to be released from the bondage and horrors they were facing at the hands of evil men.
I remember standing at the American cemetery with American flags stretching out as far as you can see and feeling an overwhelming gratitude for everyone who gave everything that day fighting for our freedom, but not just the soldiers, also their mothers, wives, brothers, fathers, friends, etc who were left behind to heal from that sacrifice. I am forever grateful to anyone who has ever sacrificed their life, their time, their security, and their family to help keep my family safe and to keep my freedoms in tact.
On this Memorial Day weekend as we had family gatherings, camping trips and BBQ’s I hope we took the time to be grateful for the men and women who not only fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy but those who continue to put their lives in harms way on our behalf so that America can remain the beautiful country that we all love. And I hope and pray that God continues to watch over and protect our country and to guide those in harms way and keep them safe.
America! America! God shed His grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
Kara, thanks so much for this great post! It is beautiful. So often people are very down on the military, not thinking about the fact that if they didn’t serve, hadn’t died we would be at a very different place right now. Thanks again.
Thank you Cheryl. It was a very memorable moment for me and made me so grateful for the freedoms we have.