Long ago, far away, a thousand miles from shore;                                                            Sun set, obligations met, was there any more?                                                           Closed my eyes, mesmerized, walking as through time;                                               Saw it there, should I dare move to make it mine?

Travel on, hesitate, fighting with my dream;                                                                    Could there be more to me than what I had seen?                                                     Walking slow, running fast, inner heartbeat’s thrum;                                                     Finally, I can see now the sight of home.

Photo: http://commons/wikimedia/org/wikiFileCarina_Nebula.jpg

It’s curious how we can have a national holiday we call Memorial Day, the very name which tells us we’re remembering, and promptly forget what it’s for. In the town in which I grew up every Memorial Day the band would play Abide With Me at the bandshell in Chautauqua Park. There would be an address, a plane would fly over the lake and drop a wreath, and someone would read a poem. As a young girl, I was more interested in buying a candy necklace from the candy truck parked there than thinking about people I didn’t know or war or sacrifice. I didn’t appreciate a poem about poppies and marking our place. I began to listen more closely when I was a senior in high school. Now every Memorial Day, I think of that poem, and in my heart recite as much as I recall. The poem, In Flanders Fields, was written in 1915. It’s good to remember poems. It’s better to remember people who sacrificed their lives for our country. On Monday, go ahead and cook out, but don’t forget. Remember.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow                                                                            Between the crosses, row on row,                                                                                   That mark our place; and in the sky                                                                                   The larks, still bravely singing, fly                                                                                 Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago                                                                                       We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,                                                                            Loved and were loved, and now we lie                                                                                 In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:                                                                                           To you from failing hands we throw                                                                                    The torch; be yours to hold it high.                                                                                         If ye break faith with us who die                                                                                          We shall not sleep, though poppies grow                                                                             In Flanders fields.

In Flanders Fields, John McCrae, 1915, public domain;                                           Photo: www.commons.wikimedia.org Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Great and marvelous are your deeds, Almighty God;
Just and true are all of your ways.
Who will not fear you, Lord?
You are the Holy One.
We bring You honor all of our days.

We’d climb to the lofty heights singing your name.
The eagles soar higher still shouting the same.
The sun and the stars ring forth encores again.

You’re wonderful! You’re marvelous,
Our God of all time!

Great and marvelous are your deeds, Almighty God;
Just and true are all of your ways.
Who will not fear you, Lord?
You are the Holy One.
We bring You honor all of our days.

All nations will bend their knees and worship You.
The heavens will flash its light; praising You, too.
The earth will break open wide dancing and new.

You’re wonderful! You’re marvelous,
Our God of all time!

Great and marvelous are your deeds, Almighty God;
Just and true are all of your ways.
Who will not fear you, Lord?
You are the Holy One.
We bring You honor all of our days.

song: copyright: Connie Miller Pease, photo: Christian HD wallpaper

Rest, oh rest in Jesus’ arms,                                                                                         They’ll hold you close to His heart;                                                                                    Feel His tender touch so near                                                                                       Enfold you with His love.                                                                                                   Give your cares to God’s embrace.                                                                                Know His kind and gentle face.                                                                                       Rest, oh rest in Jesus’ arms,                                                                                         They’ll hold you close to His heart;                                                                                   Stay so near,                                                                                                                  Forget your fear;                                                                                                                  Let perfect love do its part.

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Our Father,

When we think of your creation, not just the stars twinkling in the night’s sky or the sun flashing its brightness, but the vast heavens and planets and nebula and very possibly things of which we are unaware, we’re stunned by your power.

 When we examine the intricacies of a single flower, the beauty of its design, the efficiency of photosynthesis, the blessing of its tiny breath; and multiply that by untold numbers of color and shape and scent; expanding that to plant and sea and animal life alike: multitudes of funny bugs and beings, both adorable and fierce; the minute detail of your artistry amazes us and the expansiveness of your work confounds us. Millions of years haven’t revealed to man the completeness of your creation.

When we think of You, your power and perfection, we must admit here and now that the smallness of man compared with the greatness of God – our smallness to your greatness –  makes it improbable that You would extend your immense love to us. Yet You do in so many ways, so very many ways. It makes us relieved and delighted that You not only provide sustenance, but give numerous and varied attentions to our lives. You are interested in us. You want our company. You answer prayer. Oh thank you for that. Thank you for being a kind and generous and loving God.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For the children: “God is great and God is good . . .”

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