Today after morning church service and an order of
French fries at McDonald’s, The Husband and I attended a funeral service for
the dad of a friend of ours. An American flag was spread over the coffin,
signifying that the friend’s dad had served in the armed forces.
The friend’s dad was 87 years old when he passed away. He and his wife
had lived in a local nursing home together. The widow was at the service,
sitting in a wheelchair being consoled and cared for by our friend, her
youngest son. It was a poignant sight.
The Husband and I were sitting somewhat near the
front, much nearer than we had planned, but when we arrived my parents were
sitting there and of course motioned us to sit with them. The Husband,
being still not healed from his roof fall, had thought of sitting in the back
in case the pain worsened and he would need to go outside. But, alas, we
sat near the front instead. Sitting there gave me a clear view of the
sweet widowed woman. Throughout the service as I watched the widow
and her son and his loving care of her, I found myself getting a bit
teary-eyed.
At the end of the service before going to the
cemetery outside for the committal, the funeral directors began to fold the
flag. (It was way too cold for the widow to be outside so they chose to
do it inside.) I watched as they carefully folded the flag exactly right—with
respect the flag, the deceased, and the widow deserved. After the
flag was folded, the funeral director kindly stood in front of that sweet woman
in the wheelchair, held the flag out to her, and said, “Our country today has
many problems, but it is still the greatest country in the world. Many
years ago your husband joined the Army, served, and fought for the freedoms we
enjoy today. We present to you this flag today in honor and thanks for
that service.” The woman’s little frail arms reached out to
take it and she held it with love.
Now, I’m going to tell you the truth. Being a
preacher’s kid, I would imagine I have been to more funerals in my lifetime
than a lot of you. No brag, just fact. And I have seen many, many
things before, during, and after funerals that made me teary-eyed, some things
that put me in shock, and some things that I think, "Really?" But
today, I kid you not, as I sat there with a clear view of this scene today, it
GOT me. I mean it REALLY got me. I bawled like baby. Right
there on that pew. Something about it just tore my heart you know?
And I couldn’t help it. I boo-hooed.
The Girl went to college at North Georgia College
and State University, the Military College of Georgia, and while she was not
involved in the corps, she had many friends who were. She has many
sorority sisters and friends who married the military guys and now live the
military life with their families. These girls take care of their kids
while the men are fighting in Afghanistan and other places, not unlike any
other military wife. Shucks, some of the guys take care of the kids
while their wives fight for our country. In the past most have returned
safe and sound but some have not. Some have returned very wounded and
changed for life….stories of courage and honor that would break your heart. And
all this happened WHILE they were fighting for ME and YOU.
Things in this country will never be perfect,--none
of us or our lives will ever be perfect until we get to heaven. I think
of the “God” principles this country was founded on all those many years ago.
I think of all those who have lost their lives fighting to protect our freedoms
that we so enjoy. Most days I fear the direction our country is going,
but I am assured that my Lord and Savior who holds all our futures in his grip
has it all under control. Faith and trust is mine to do. My prayer
is that our country does get back to trusting the Lord, praying to Him, and
building a spiritual relationship with HIM.
I will close with the scripture which most comes to
mind:
“If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
I pray for THAT kind of healing.
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