Gardens of Stone

A cool breeze flows amongst the forgotten stones engraved

and polished with names all but a few remember.

Rarely seen amidst the green meadows filled with rows of silent sentinels

an ever quiet footstep may be heard.

Back and forth the ever quiet footsteps walk among

the cloistered hidden caskets searching for a special name.

Ever so quietly, gently they kneel before the freshly etched

white washed stone and place upon it’s crown a rose.

They look into the air and speak of family or friends or worries or woes,

or regrets that seem to ease their load.

Others come and bow their heads to say a silent prayer

finding comfort as they reflect on things eternal and of God.

Few spend more than a moment, time passes and their visits diminish

until another member is added to the garden’s number.

So shall it continue until the engraved and polished stones with

names are no longer needed by the sons of men.

As Christ delivers the kingdom to God, abolishes death forever

and restores all that was cursed to perfection again.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. While Waterloo, N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove, conclusively, the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen. Logan giving his official proclamation in1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

As we come together and remember, we need to take some time to meditate not only on those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom but those who will pay this price in the future. We need to remember the One who paid the price, once and for all to reconcile all mankind to God. Jesus sacrificed Himself, paid the price for our sin, and reconciled those who believe in Him to God. We stand in awe as we hear of those who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; however they pale in comparison to Christ who reconciled all of creation unto the Father through His sacrifice on the cross.