I come from a very patriotic family. Daddy and most of my uncles are, or were, veterans. The latest soldier in the family is about to graduate basic training in Oklahoma, and his parents are counting the days (make that minutes) till they can see him again.
So many times, I've heard our family veterans talk about how much they missed home while they were away. My friend Holly let me read letters written by her dad—the inspiration for my third book—when he was a fighter pilot in Korea. Those letters reflect a young man torn—on the one hand, totally committed to serving his country; on the other, missing his wife and his home so much that he was willing to fly more dangerous missions—the ones few pilots wanted—to earn his way back.
Remember the episode in Jesus' ministry when disciples of the Pharisees tried to trick him into saying it was unlawful to "give tribute" to Caesar? (In other words, don't pay your taxes.) Jesus answered, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's" (Luke 20:25).
Military service requires "rendering" to both God and country. Many a prayer goes up for sons and daughters in uniform while they serve.
Some people reject patriotism because they say politicians are corrupt. Some reject faith because they say religious people are hypocrites. But God is bigger than religion, and I'm still hopeful that the ideals of freedom and justice are bigger than politics. There are days when I have my doubts. But that's my prayer. And I'll lift up another one for all those serving, all who have served, and all the families who love them.
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