“Memorial Weekend Memories”

“Memorial Weekend Memories”

May 25, 2016

Certain dates on the calendar provide reminders of special events in the past. This weekend is one of them. In my growing up years, our annual routine was to visit the cemeteries where family members were buried. We would collect wildflowers from the ranch and place them on the graves. My mother usually shed some tears and my dad always offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the people being remembered. We kids learned to value people that we had never known.

During the next few days, there will be military events at national cemeteries, flyovers by military aircraft, thousands of American flags placed on graves, and plenty of tears shed as people remember and give thanks for the men and women who gave time to the service of our country. These are good reminders to us of the cost of freedom.

As Carol and I developed our own family traditions, Memorial Weekend was the time for one of several summer camping trips. A special memory goes back to 1980 when, less than two weeks earlier, Mount St. Helens had blown her top. On Memorial Weekend, she decided to send out a lot more material and we woke up to mud-ash raining on our tent. Many camping trips later, our tent still showed evidence of that event.

Memorial Weekend is considered the official beginning of summer. Many people get serious about gardening at this time. Schoolchildren are counting the days to the end of another school year. Graduation events and celebrations abound. Each of these milestones has significance, and most of them will become memories – hopefully, good ones.

Before Jesus went to the cross to die in our place, He established a memorial celebration we know as Communion or The Lord’s Supper. When we participate, we remember Him and give thanks while also anticipating His return for us at a future time. I pray that our first priority during this Memorial Weekend will be to remember Jesus. This will put all other memories in proper perspective.

Pastor Bill Ehmann

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT POSTS

A Psalm of Perspective

By wvbaptist | August 1, 2018 | 0 Comments

August 1, 2018 Psalm 37 abounds with encouragement for people who trust and follow God’s ways, along with a message of doom for those who do not. The Creator is specific in what He considers worthy of approval and what […]

Enemies

By wvbaptist | July 27, 2018 | 0 Comments

July 25, 2018 Reading through the Psalms, I have pondered who or what was on David’s mind when he talked about taking refuge in God for protection from his enemies. The books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles list some of […]

Covenant Living

By wvbaptist | July 18, 2018 | 0 Comments

July 18, 2018 My mind is on “covenants” this week as I prepare to talk on Sunday about “The New Covenant” from Hebrews chapter 8. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word:  a binding and solemn agreement to do or keep from […]

Does God Owe Us Anything?

By wvbaptist | July 12, 2018 | 0 Comments

July 11, 2018 The opening pages of the Bible reveal a Creator God Who made a variety of beautiful things, including humans. He placed them in an amazing garden and gave them a life beyond our imagination. The story also […]

Grateful for Our Country

By wvbaptist | July 5, 2018 | 0 Comments

July 5, 2018 Another July 4th is history, and I paused to consider the significance of the celebration. I read The Declaration of Independence and portions of The Constitution of The United States of America and was reminded of the […]

Scroll to Top