Freedom seems to be the talk of the day... but why just today?

This morning started out with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and a swelling in my chest.  We had veterans at our school for our Veterans Day celebration ceremony.  My eye caught this one, older gentleman and throughout the event, I was drawn back to him.  He was fully unaware of my captivation with him.  He was immersed in the flag and what it obviously meant to him. 

He was standing off to the side as the ROTC posted the colors.  I could almost feel his heart beating.  It meant something deep to him, to see these young High School kids diligently handle something he held so dear.  After the pledge, where he stood at full salute (yes I peeked during the pledge... not to dishonor the flag, but to honor him, one who fought for it) we sang our national Anthem.  Again, a raging pride coursed through his veins so obviously to me... because I was willing to look.  Once that was done, they had all the veterans move forward, so that the crowd could now see them clearly.   We honored each branch of the service by having those veterans raise their hands when their branch was called.  He was very proud of his branch.  Very.  I could see it in his eyes.  And then, our entire school began to sing the song, "I'm Proud to Be an American". 

Now understand, the first chords of that song always evokes emotions within me.  It gets me every single time.  I automatically recall pictures of my own daddy and granddad's in uniform and I melt.  But today, it was altogether different.  I was captivated by this man.  The song began, the lump arrived, but I was determined to sing on.  And I did... right until the moment I noticed him looking down at all the children in front of him, his chin quivering, and his eyes full of tears.  That was it.  I choked up, voice cracked, and it was over.  It was a touching moment that blessed my heart.  And as I said on my facebook status today, sometimes I feel so strong about my country that I feel I should be out there with those men and women who are fighting for the things that I hold most dear.  Watching him watch the children, was definitely one of those moments.  Had there have been a recruiter around (okay and were I young and in shape enough that the military would want me... let's be real here okay?) my name would have been signed on the dotted line before I had time to think of all the important reasons why maybe it wasn't such a good idea. 

But no recruiters were available, the song ended, and I was able to get my bearings a bit.  But that man has stuck in my head all day.  While we made an artistic flag for the hallway to say thank you to our veterans coming for lunch, he came to my mind.  When I would head towards my desk and see the flag hanging just behind, I would think of him. When I would be humming the song and my friend would say... "NO!  STOP!  You have to sing something else," knowing it would make us both cry, he would surface in my thoughts.  Off and on all day, I kept returning to that quivering chin and that look he had as he looked at the children. 

What I saw in him was beautiful.  It was significant.  And it was a picture to me of what God must look like when He looks down upon us.  That man wasn't sad today.  He was looking at each and every child with love.  He was looking from child to child and obviously saying, YOU are why I did what I did.  YOU are why I paid that price.  YOU are why I was willing to die.  YOU are why my brothers in combat DID die.  YOU are why they will continue.  It was an outward portrayal through this man, of the things unseen from God.  It just was.  I have no doubt, that is exactly how God looks at each of us and says YOU are why I gave my son!  Man... that Veteran has no idea how moved I was, I am, by his genuine love and pride in what he has given.

As I reflect on it tonight, the question that keeps resurfacing, is why in the world do we have to wait for Veterans Day to talk about freedom?  Do we not enjoy it every single day?  Do we not live in the greatest country on the face of the earth every single day?  And do we not live with the opportunity to be free forever in eternity?  So... my nugget for the day, WHY WAIT?  Today we should celebrate.  Tomorrow we should celebrate... every day we should celebrate.  Life is good.  Men have died for our freedoms here.  Christ died for our eternal freedom.  WHY WAIT?  So... now I shall celebrate by telling you many of the things freedom means to me right now, this very day....

• JESUS
• cross
• hope
• faith
• love
• laughter
• joy
• opportunity
• voice
• choice
• sacrifice
• service
• heart
• blessings
• courage
• war
• victory
• quivering chins
• swelling pride
• humanity
• humility
• tears
• blood
• loss
• gain
• embraces
• new beginnings
• heroic endings
• loyalty
• raw honesty
• reality
• family
• friends
• connection
• understanding
• pain
• overcoming
• undeserved gifts
• injury
• healing
• death
• life
• comfort
• brother/sisterhood
• deep appreciation
• blessings
• home
• health
• protection
• guidance
• acceptance
• forgiveness
• peace
• a future
• JESUS

That veteran served long ago for then, for now, and obviously from the way he looked at those kiddos today, for the future.  Christ served for then, for now, and for our future. A soldier died so that we might live free.  Christ died so that we might live free forever.  Neither can be re-payed.  Neither expect to be re-payed.  They are a gift.  Please, don't abuse those gifts and help me to remember not to either. Lets celebrate those veterans today... and every single day.  And lets celebrate Christ today... and every single day. 

AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I'M FREE!  AND I WON'T FORGET THE MEN (AND WOMEN) WHO GAVE THAT RIGHT TO ME!  AND I'LL GLADLY STAND UP, NEXT TO THEM AND DEFEND HER STILL TODAY!  THERE AIN'T NO DOUBT I LOVE THIS LAND!  GOD BLESS THE USA!

Off to celebrate the freedom of bathing my daughter now....

Robin