Day Eleven: Lest We Forget

She slapped my hand when I sat down beside her at Bible Study this morning. I flashed her a quizzical look and she chided, "Where's your poppy?" I promised her I'd purchased several from the boy standing in front of the grocery store but they fell off. Poor excuse. It is Remembrance Day and I dared to be seen in public without donning the crimson symbol to honour my country's brave men and women. To make matters worse, my friend was a former medic in the military. She was slightly offended by my carelessness, but she forgave me. Later, a two minute period of silence to remember those who fought valiantly for our freedom and then off to continue with our day.

 

Our nursery sign and the church sign both read, "Lest We Forget". Driving past, the message brought me back to pray for our soldiers, for their families, for our country. The Holy Spirit drew my mind to another sacrifice that delivered freedom for our souls. We'd just celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection with communion on Sunday. (Luke 22:17-20) Lest we forget. Could we possibly? I imagined the families of the war-torn perished ones. They'll never forget and probably hate the indifference of some on this special day. God gave His Son so we could be united with Him eternally, so that we didn't have to pay the price for our own sin. How could we forget? Why do we wait for Christmas and Easter or Communion to even act like we care, that we remember?

 

Prayer gives us the opportunity to tell the One who died to rescue us, that we remember. What's more, we get to communicate and hear what instruction He has for us and to hear His encouragement for the day. Pray, lest you forget.

practicing prayer (2005)



In Flanders Fields and In Our Home

In Flanders Fields the poppies blew; here, they serve to remind us of the sacrificial gift of life that was given for our freedom. In those fields where once young men marched valiantly, only painful memories floating amidst wooden crosses remain. Here, in our home, an eleven year-old girl won't allow their memory to be in vain.

Meghan sobbed throughout the War Memorial service we were viewing on T.V. this Remembrance Day. Cameras scanned face after face of wrinkled and weather-beaten veterans, eyes brimming, hands trembling. Wreaths were laid, children sang, and canons blasted periodically while prayers were raised and words were spoken in this annual funeral-celebration. All of my children were riveted, at times, but it was she, who still knows the pain of loved ones lost, she, who listens to the stories of Canada's past and internalizes them, who shook her head in grief. She threw her arms around me sideways where I sat and I held her awkwardly as she mourned. It's this tender heart that wouldn't let the rest of us turn away from the T.V. for a single minute, pointing us back time and again, when we were distracted. She will do great things for God with that sensitive spirit.

In Flanders Fields, they beg we take up their quarrel with the foe and here, in our home, that baton is received, and in prayer, one girl marches against the real enemy behind every war.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.

Remembering the Vision

"These people must be Christians; it says, 'Jesus' EVERYWHERE in here!" Molly exclaimed these words as we walked around a little Mennonite bookstore in Wellesley the other day. Teaching them to recognize who they are in Christ, how to spot others with the same lifesong, and boldly share their love for Jesus, is part of our family's vision. What's yours? Do your children know it?

As we stood for our moment of silence this morning, we remembered not only what our soldiers did for us (and are doing), but what our Saviour did for us. The questions were abundant and I felt so thankful to be homeschooling. I had the opportunity to impart our vision through Remembrance Day ceremonies.

In the midst of math, shopping, obligations, etc., I have a mission field here at home. I try to remember this daily; remember that I've been given four little lives in which to plant a vision so mighty that it will affect the future of our world.

" Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13