Addison Crissone

(In honor of Veterans Day, my sister Caitlyn and I would like to dedicate today's blog to our late grandfather, George William Crissone. He voluntarily served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.)

One of Jesus' most loved teachings is that of love.
here is how Jesus defined love: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends." (John 15:13).
To Jesus, the greatest act of love is to lay down your life for others. But Jesus doesn't just love you with words. he loves you with His actions, too. He loves you so much that He laid down his own life for you- and me.
That kind of love is hard to find, especially in our world today. But it is there. There are still people who are willing to lay down their lives for others, including the men and women who serve or have served in our country's military. 
As we live our daily lives in peace and safety, people are risking their own lives in dangerous and difficult situations around the world. That's why our country takes today to celebrate Veteran's Day. And it is very important to honor our veterans. In a special way like Jesus, veterans show what it's like to sacrifice for those you love.
Many have given their lives as God's Soldiers, fighting so that the people they love could have freedom. It's the same reason God sent His son to suffer and die- so the people He loves could be safe. 
But what all too often happens to our veterans? We forget about them. We disregard them. Sometimes we even disrespect them.
Isn't that the sad truth?
We who live surrounded by prosperity forget about those who have sacrificed, suffered, and even died to allow us to live in such freedom. How quickly we forget!
Isn't that true for Jesus too? How quickly and easily we forget what our Savior has done to give us peace, forgiveness, life, and greater yet, Everlasting Life in Paradise. It's too easy to enjoy all the blessings without ever acknowledging the sacrifice. It's also easy to completely look over our blessings and start complaining and whining. 

So we thank our Veterans for their sacrifice. May we always look to honor, comfort, and serve those who have faithfully and selflessly served us. And as we thank our veterans for their service, may we be reminded to thank Jesus for offering the ultimate sacrifice. Despite our sins, despite our selfishness, despite our forgetfulness, Jesus died for us. Because this is what love is all about, right? 
"Greater love has no one than this, that He lays down His life for His friends." 
May we never forget to honor all who served in the United States Military- in wartime or peacetime, living or deceased.