Thursday, November 10, 2011

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is tomorrow and here on base, there is a sense of excitement in the air - the Blue Angels are practicing for their air show this weekend, and service-members are abuzz with plans for their 3-day holiday. I can't help but think about the many men and women who have lived on this base before us and how many of them gave their lives to protect and serve our country.

But something else is on my heart this morning, and it has been for some time now. For a little while tomorrow, my generation will stop and honor the older generations. In typical American fashion, we'll throw parades, have family get-togethers, maybe even watch a few documentaries on the History Chanel. But come Saturday morning, we will be back to our normal ways of being annoyed at the old man holding up traffic. Or the little old lady who still insists on writing a check at the grocery store. Or, God-forbid, the grandmother who dares to give us advice on our marriage or how to raise our children. 

And I have to ask myself - what is it about my generation? Are we really that insecure? What is it with the selfish pride, the "superman" persona, the huge chip on all of our shoulders? Would it really kill us to be respectful of all that our parents and grandparents have gone through? Would we cease to feel valued if we stopped and asked someone for advice, for their experiences? Why do we feel the need to "learn as we go" or to figure everything out on our own? Why would we NOT want to learn from others' mistakes and successes? 

Why do we think we don't need them?

Pride. Stupid Pride.

So today, I'm asking you to find an older person to respect. To honor. To thank. I'm challenging all of us to GROW UP. To realize that we are all fallen humans and those who have gone before us can be some of God's greatest blessings in our lives. 

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