9 Ways Memorial Day Reminds Us of Our Eternal Home

What is heroism?

We define heroism as demonstrating great bravery, courage, nobility, or fortitude in the face of extremely difficult or dangerous situations.

Humanity has had struggles throughout history and has had some amazing heroes, including Social Justice leaders like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Nelson Mandela.

War heroes like Joan of Arc, Audie Murphie, and Malala Yousafzai, who remind us of the cost of conflict and the struggle for rights and freedoms.

Biblical heroes like David and Queen Esther. Even though he was just a young boy, David fought and conquered Goliath. Queen Esther went boldly to the king about the plot to kill her people. This reminds us that God uses people of all kinds for his purpose.

Today, we have everyday heroes like police officers, firefighters, EMTS, nurses, doctors, shelter workers, community organizers, etc.

These heroes remind us of our eternal home in that God created these people to live out his purpose for them in fantastic ways. We can look forward to meeting them and Jesus in our eternal home with him.

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We live in a fast-paced world, and finding moments to pause and reflect is rare. Still, this is essential for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who served and fought for our freedoms. This reminds us of our eternal home in the same way Jesus died for our sins so that we can live a life of freedom and look forward to eternity with him. Although we primarily reflect on this at Easter, this is also a glorious holiday to thank him for his sacrifice for us and those who have fought for us.

Families and communities should also gather and talk about friends and family who have previously served. Talking about it is often cathartic and a great way to educate younger generations about their family history.

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Symbols are more than just signs. They embrace our values, beliefs, and emotions and act as conduits for connection, understanding, and hope.

Traditions are the backbone of holidays and provide a sense of community and belonging. Traditions help us process grief, celebrate milestones, and create shared narratives to help us navigate life’s trials.

Candles are a sign of hope and light. Lighting a candle to remember a loved one brings comfort and peace and shows the enduring act of love, even in death. They can also represent a shared light that guides us through the dark times in our lives.

Flowers are beautiful reminders of our loved ones and represent love, respect, and the cycle of life. Fresh flowers carry different meanings; therefore, people choose them carefully for memorial events.

Personal mementos like heirlooms, photographs, or even a favorite item (book, record, collectible, etc) help create a connection to the person who passed and inspire family and friends to share stories and memories about this person.

Creating shared rituals, such as making memory stones, planting trees, participating in an activity, or volunteering for a cause the deceased was passionate about.

These symbols remind us of our eternal home. Candles cast a light that reminds us of Jesus, and flowers help us remember all that Jesus went through in the cycle of his life.

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Memorial Day is full of outdoor celebrations, and it is a great time to admire and appreciate the nature that God created for us. Our days are so busy that we don’t take time to appreciate the world around us.

While at your town’s parade or Memorial Day service, look around and appreciate the trees and flowers, the birds flying in the sky, and the fresh air you breathe. We can enjoy nature because of God’s creation and our freedoms. Close your eyes and thank God for his creation.

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Family gatherings are significant events in our lives. They are a great way to connect, break bread, and share stories and memories of loved ones. They create a sense of belonging for everyone involved and are a way to pass down traditions and values.

One example of a family tradition on Memorial Day is visiting the cemetery where their loved ones are buried, going to the town parade, and gathering for a cookout in the afternoon. During this time, they share stories, photographs, and important things with their deceased loved ones.

Another family may visit the cemetery, attend the parade, and then gather to create a memory board.

This aspect of Memorial Day reminds us that one day, heaven will gather us all as one vast family to worship the Lord.

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Stories are like historical records. They capture events, traditions, and personal experiences that historians often overlook. Sharing stories about and written by our loved ones brings a new dynamic to traditional storytelling.

This Memorial Day, in addition to stories of your loved ones, look up stories of other soldiers who served in the past. Read about both historically known soldiers and soldiers from other families. You could even post on social media and ask friends to share stories of their loved ones who served.

People will be delighted to share their stories, and it will be cathartic for everyone to come together and remember. These stories remind us of our cultural heritage, like narratives from the Bible remind us of our spiritual heritage.

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Every Memorial Day, we gather at cemeteries and parades to remember our loved ones and those who served.

Memorial services allow friends and family to come together to honor their loved one, share memories, and share cheerful stories. These services often include music, readings, poetry, and visual representations of their loved one and the life they lived. It’s a fantastic reminder for the family every year.

As communities, we hold celebratory events, like festivals and parades, to honor local figures who have made significant contributions. The rituals people participate in at these events, like candlelightings and sharing meals, create a sense of community in the face of loss. These events create a festive atmosphere where community members can mourn, share stories, and celebrate.

Events also create a sense of resilience, that we can get through anything if we work together.

This reminds us of our heavenly home in that we, too, celebrate the lives lived in the Bible and their losses and triumphs.

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We remember that our freedoms are due to the sacrifices of our military members. Because of them, we are free to live our lives the way we wish, and we should reflect on this on Memorial Day. Most importantly, we are free to worship as we want to and serve the God we love freely.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins, ensuring we have a life of freedom in heaven with him. In all aspects of our lives, we should celebrate our freedoms and thank Jesus and those who served (and do serve) for allowing us to have these freedoms.

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Memorial Day should inspire us to live our lives meaningfully. We can do this in various ways.

Cultivating Gratitude- We should wake up each day with gratitude. Thank God for waking you up each day. While remembering those who paid the ultimate price, be thankful for the freedoms you have every day, from the little things to the big stuff.

Build Connections- Strive to build deeper connections with family, friends, coworkers, bosses, etc. Relationships are a source of meaning in our lives and a way to discuss things like service, community, and supporting one another. We can do this by engaging with nonprofits and services that help veterans and by brainstorming how we can help our communities.

Servicing Others- Our soldiers served us by paying the ultimate price. To show gratitude and add meaning to our lives, we can volunteer for causes close to our hearts.

Reflecting on our Legacy: Take time to think about the legacy you want to leave behind. Then take action and do something fantastic to leave a positive societal footprint.

These things remind us of our eternal home because we are called to be grateful, build meaningful relationships, serve others, and build a positive legacy for when we are gone.

Memorial Day encourages us to live mindfully, be grateful, build relationships, and leave a legacy. These things are like what Jesus teaches us about how to live our lives. Therefore, Memorial Day reminds us of our eternal home.

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