Givers and Takers by Dr. Juan Harrison
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It’s Memorial Day as I look out the window and see Old Glory flapping in a steady breeze. Selfishly I’m proud to have served my time during the Viet Nam era and glad to be recognized on Veteran’s Day. Proudly, I’m glad that we still honor those, including guys I served with, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Sacrifice, is a word that we don’t hear a lot about these days. In a Me First world of what have you done for me lately, you don’t hear a lot about those who make a habit of giving rather than taking. A lot of us older guys have worried that maybe the world has tilted a bit too far to the gimme side and not enough to the service side.
America and my state of Texas in particular have been a beacon of hope for the rest of the world for most of their existence. Be it local hurricanes or foreign wars, our people are at their best when called on to serve. It’s hard to explain, but a crisis just seems to bring out the volunteer spirit in our people, be it a blood drive or a people starving overseas.
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Unfortunately, our country has gone through some prosperous times lately that have caused a lot of people to focus on themselves and what they might get from something rather than what they might give back to people and a country that has blessed them. We’re surrounded by policemen, medical personnel, and military to help ensure peace and safety in our lives. We reap the benefits of businesses and workers who help get us products to meet our daily needs. The roads are clogged with eighteen wheelers trying to keep our toilet paper holders filled and paper towels in the kitchen.
Somebody is working nights and weekends to help keep our lights on, cellphones functioning and our homes heated and cooled. Good people are willing to cut our grass and make home health visits to help meet our health needs. Our preachers are preparing messages for our encouragement. Our funeral homes stand ready to help our bodies make a reasonably dignified exit here on earth.
God loves a grateful heart. He truly will bless those who recognize and appreciate what He has done for us. We can’t out give or out do Him. We’ve got to remember how blessed we are as a nation and thank those who do so much for us each day, especially the One who has done the most and wouldn’t mind a spiritual hug or thank you from us.
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