"Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come (Leviticus 23:41) NIV
Celebrations, holidays, birthdays...What's your take on memorializing a significant event? How do you usually observe Memorial Day? Is it a day of remembrance or a day 'off', a day of play and/or partying? I am always moved by the images that I see in National observations to our fallen war heroes. In particular, the military men who fold the flag so precisely capture my attention. We own such a flag folded in honor of Dennis' Uncle Arthur who served in five major battles of World War II. I watched as the flag snapped this way and that until it was precisely wrapped and handed to the families of fallen men and women. Throughout the 'holiday weekend', I've seen many quips, cartoons, and eloquent speeches given concerning our men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. One cartoon in particular is of a man grilling the usual food stuffs outdoors. The thought bubble over his head listed the many things on the menu but...going up in the smoke above the barbeque were pictures of the military who are forgotten in the rush of 'celebration' to meet and eat and disregard the real meaning of the day. All over the world all year long we tend to forget the meaning of real celebration in lieu of the party that accompanies them. Christmas has become Santa Claus and gifts; Easter eggs and bunnies, holidays instead of holy days.
Today I just want to give tribute to the military and their families who don't 'celebrate' but commemorate Memorial Day. I appreciate the sacrifices made for our political freedom. I remember also, the PRIME EXAMPLE OF SACRIFICE made on a Roman cross for our spiritual freedom. Men and women who follow in Christ's footsteps as the ultimate model of and for freedom "memorialize" the experience and demonstrate what in actuality it is meant to be. Thank you! Thank you, Thank you!
It's also been a week of celebration in our family. Catie, (Catherine Joy) our oldest granddaughter, and Jacob Hayes, our second grandson, graduated from Mountain View Elementary this morning. These fifth graders will go to Blue Ridge Middle School next year where our oldest grandson, Caleb, attends. This Nana and Poppy will thrill to experience three in Middle School and five still in Elementary School. WHOA! There will be many more graduation celebrations to attend.
But before I continue there is something I'd like to say about Mtn. View Elementary School. We are thrilled to have our children and grandchildren associated with this school. Tommy Hughes, our long time friend and principle of Mt. View, epitomizes what elementary school should be all about. He's by far the best principle I've ever known. He loves the kids and they love him. His heart beats for their well being and education. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Hughes. You are loved.
Not only did we celebrate graduations but also two birthdays. Catie, born on Memorial Day eleven years ago and Boaz, her brother is ten today. Remembrances abound in the Lynn household this week. I remember not being able to get to Canada in time for her birth. I called Todd to inform him of when I would be arriving and he was in the delivery room with Joice where the birth was taking place. He shared his first words about his baby girl while on the phone to me. "Oh, she looks like a little smurf".Catie doesn't resemble a smurf anymore and in fact gave a lovely parting speech this morning to her school.
Boaz, coming one year later, was also born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while his parents were in Seminary. It's a tad difficult to monitor travel so far when babies decide to be born, so, we missed his birth by one week. Most folks raise their eyebrows when first hearing the name Boaz these days. It's not your common popular baby boy name. I researched the Biblical Boaz considerably after Todd decided to change his name from Elijah Christopher to Boaz Nathaniel on the second day of his life. When he told me on the phone that he had some news about the baby, my heart did a double flip, fearing a medical problem. It was only a name change due to the fact that his dad felt he didn't look like an Elijah to his daddy and Boaz seemed to fit the baby boy. I love the name Boaz and what it stands for...kinsman redeemer. It's indicative of our LORD and what He's done for us. We do celebrate both our grandchildren's births proudly.
Obviously the LORD God, Himself felt that celebrations served a good purpose. Just read about the Jewish feasts in the book of Leviticus and all throughout the Scripture.
Birthdays, Memorial Day, Graduation Day, all hold significance in our lives. How will these things be remembered in the years to come?
How do you celebrate important days in with your kin? It will become a family heritage and a gift to your progeny.
- Remember the real meaning of the day
- Renew old memories that glorify the occasion
- Refresh each other with true stories of bygone days
- Rekindle relationships
- Rededicate yourselves to the Lord God Who grants you all celebrations
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