Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor, commemorate and remember the lives of men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Following the end of the Civil War, a war which claimed more lives than any other conflict in U.S. history, there was a call for a National Day of Remembrance. The day was originally called Decoration Day. The idea was that people would use flowers or otherwise decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers remembering their great sacrifice. May 30^th was the original date chosen because it was not the anniversary of any particular battle. May 30^th, the date General Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day, continued to be used for years. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, allowing federal employees to enjoy a three-day weekend.

It is interesting to me that we need to have a day designated for us, imploring us, to “remember.” Each Memorial Day at 3:00p.m. local time a moment of remembrance takes place. Memorial Day is much more than what some consider the start of summer, it is more than just a day off work or a day for picnics with family and friends. The day had its origin and still should be a time for reflection and a time to remember.

As we have been examining the Old Testament an ongoing theme is a call to remember. I believe God still wants us to continue to take time to remember. Sometimes past experiences are painful to recall. Our focus should not be on the situation or circumstance that caused us pain but on the faithfulness of God. When we realize how faithful God was in the past it allows us to move forward knowing He is trustworthy for the future.

Today as you consider pausing at noon to Bend-A-Knee in prayer may you take a moment to remember how faithful God has been in your life. It always amazes me how our perspective on events changes with the passing of time. While we are in the midst of difficulties it is hard for us to even see that God is with us through our struggles but later on God’s abiding presence becomes clear to us. So, take a moment to remember & rejoice at God’s faithfulness. May you learn to rest in His care and receive His refreshment allowing you to be revived in His presence.

Stay connected to God & to others

God’s Peace,

Pastor Mike