As Christians we are called to remember. Remembering what has been done for us and how we have been forgiven and the promises that give us the hope we hold dear… As Americans, we are also intentional about remembering. From Columbus Day to Independence Day to Presidents Day to Martin Luther King Jr Day to Veterans Day, we are reminded of those who have made this great nation what it is and those who have protected it.
But Memorial Day is the Big One of all remembrance days. Its about the greatest love – laying down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13). We are reminded on Memorial Day to think of those who died in service to their country. As I get older and more acquainted with the depravity and lostness of humankind, I am much more emotional than I was as a young woman. But Memorial Day has always been an emotional day for me – in fact, I’ve always been emotional about this country. Lee Greenwood’s Proud to Be an American literally chokes me up every time!
So how do we ‘celebrate’ Memorial Day? Well, like other holidays we usually get a bunch of people together and eat! We spend a day enjoying our families and friends and just being Americans. And in my view, that’s not wrong, we don’t have to be somber at a graveside all day to properly honor our heros – the purpose of remembering is to feed and fuel our gratitude. Gratitude is contagious and refreshing. So take the time to remember today – tell your kids about the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy and the people who have died to preserve them – but enjoy those freedoms today. That’s what they died for.
Ok, but what's with the picture??
If you are having a get together, covered dish or cookout and you live anywhere near me, you’ll need Sweet Tea. Or just ‘Tea’ because is there really any other kind? There is a secret to always being ready with the ‘Tea’ – can it!! In the picture above, I have several canned (water bath sealed, so safe to sit in the pantry) jars of sweet tea syrup. In our house we use it for both ‘Tea’ and Kombucha (basically fermented sweet tea). The jars of canned sweet tea syrup can be combined with just water and ice to make a gallon of Tea, or with water and a SCOBY to start a first ferment on Kombucha!