Stop and Remember

Today is a day where, united, all from across this beautiful, vast Country, stop to think about and remember those who willingly fought on the front lines for our freedom. To remember those, who standing on those front lines, knew that each breath could be their last. This knowledge didn't halt them, didn't intimidate them, and thankfully didn't change their course of action. We've been told, our whole lives, that they made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Nothing could be truer. 1 John 3:26 says "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Our soldiers are more Christlike then many would admit. How many of you would do the same? I know I would have a hard time laying down my life, especially for people I didn't even know! What these soldiers did, and are still doing today, takes strength, courage, valiance and true bravery. We are ever grateful and know we own our freedom to those who fought, those who lost their lives, and those who still fight for us today. Those brave men and women. To you we deeply thank with all our hearts, and we honor you.

The following is an excerpt entitled "War", from my book "Hephzibah", a compilation of poems and writings. (if you would like more info on my book, please feel free to contact me) As you read, take time to remember those who fought for us, those who died for us, and those who are still fighting and dying, and for the freedom we enjoy because of their sacrifice.


                                                           WAR

"...We in North America really have no idea what it's like to have war in our backyard. To have the fear that in an instant, any instant, we could lose everything we know, or everyone we know....

I'm bringing this up because war is an ever present thing in our lives these days. We all seem to know at least someone who's involved, or been involved in years past. If we haven't lost someone to war, we know someone who has. It effects us all...

...So now, I will share with you the poem that God put on my heart to write, keeping in mind the amazing men and women who give up their lives, everyday, for our freedom. Our country is saved by their blood, just like our spirit is saved saved by Jesus' blood. I pray that this poem stirs up your heart, makes you think, and causes you to have a new respect for what others are doing for you.

A distant rumbling
The sirens begin
A panic arises
Airplanes coming in

I run for a shelter
Somewhere I can hide
A place of protection
Where others have cried

Bombs all around
The place in upheaval
Buildings come crashing
At this unleashing evil

Our boys go and fight
Though many are lost
Trying to save us
At a very dear cost

Gunfire now starting
It's here all around
Screams and loud shouting
You can feel in the ground

Tanks coming in
I have no where to run
We're completely surrounded
In the hot, blistering sun

A fear I've not known
Is here in this place
My heart is just pounding
As tears streak my face

Sons, fathers, husbands
Are out bravely fighting
To give us a freedom
From all that is frightening

As I lie here alone
Amidst gunfire and smoke
I struggle to breath
Beginning to choke

I worry so dearly
About family and friend
Out there now fighting
Possibly meeting their end

how would I live
If they were to die
My heart would just break
I'd lay down and cry

How would I ever
Move on without
That warm love embrace
That erases all doubt

The dust is now settling
The bullets have ceased
All is quiet and eerie
But the tension has eased

I fell all alone
As I cautiously move out
Nothing is stirring
It seems no ones about

The scene set before me
Is filled with dark pain
Death and Destruction
All this for our gain

I then start to search
With overbearing dread
For one living soldier
Among all the dead

I looked and I looked
From morning till night
Despair taking over
I prayed with my might

I was aimlessly wandering
In the hot, desert sand
When a young soldier found me
And offered his hand

I then fell asleep
In the safe, warm embrace
Of one brave, young soldier
With a drawn, dusty face

We then left that place
Of destruction and loss
But remember it quite vividly
With each new, white cross

I'll remember these days
And all that went on
It'll stay in my heart
When these days are gone

I'll remember the men
Who gave up their lives
Who left home and comfort
Their children and wives

Who never came home
But paid a great price
For this our new freedom
A great sacrifice

The only reason we have the freedom to hear the whisper and taste the sun and enjoy all things good in our beautiful country, is all owed to those who never again were able to do those very things.

Till next time
Aryn