I am a USAF veteran and am proud to stand for Old Glory.
Today, I had the honor of going to two visitations of dearly loved ones who have passed in the community.
One was a veteran of the Korean War and was named Bill Ponder. I never got to meet him, but his son is a deacon (Rudy) at our church. One thing is clear his son loved and respected his dad as a real man and father.
The other was a member of our church, but because of COVID I only got to talk with him a few times. Jimmie Edmondson was a farmer and part of the WWII generation. As I saw these men in their caskets (one closed and one opened) I was quickly moved with emotions seeing the flag hanging over them.
Here are three thoughts that God reminded me from Jimmie and Bill.
First, men like these are why America is great. What I mean by that is you and I have freedom to worship or not, carry guns, peacefully protest, and all the incredible right guaranteed by our Constitution. These men fought back evil to secure those rights.
Two, they reminded me again of the importance of family. Seeing each of their family’s commitment to one another really touched me. Their families reminded me when I get to the end what matters is those I love.
Third, each of them has a relationship with Christ. They are in heaven with Jesus. In the last year, I have been reminded again through others in our church we have lost as well (Norman Woods, Roberta Lucy, and Margaret Walker) that the only thing that matters is to know you will spend eternity with God when you pass.
Too much of our life is spent collecting stuff that will not last, but not focused on the Lord Jesus. Through all of their lives, I have been reminded again that Jesus gives everyone hope who trusts Him. If you have not trusted him, decide today.
John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Additionally when you see a vietnam veteran say, “Welcome Home!
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