Second Thoughts – Veterans’ Day 2015

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

I have the privilege of knowing many current and former military personnel.  I have known them as students, colleagues, and family.  I count all of them as friends.  I know those who have severed in the most dangerous ways imaginable.  I know some who cooked the food and pushed the paper.

The common thread for all of them is that they gave up part of their lives voluntarily so that I could sit in my home in peace.  Today is the day we set aside to honor them; both the fallen and the living.  The living seem to accept our gratitude but it makes them uncomfortable.   There is a notable humility that says “I just did my part.”

My brother noted today that these men and women paid a price that they knew civilians could not repay.  He pointed out that our service personnel knew this even when they were sacrificing time, life, and limb for the freedoms we enjoy. 

When I look at people like Kevin, James, Emily, Mark and so many others I see the price they have paid and “Thank You” seems so paltry.  In my thank you, however, is love, respect, compassion, and friendship.  There is gratitude, awe, and kindness.  It is an honor to know those I do.  It is a privilege to love them and pray for them.   

I have burned my green light.  I have worn my poppy.  I have looked at the flag and shed a tear.  I have lifted up the names of all those I know in prayer this morning.  Tonight I will post this message and raise a glass to the living and the dead.  I will echo the words that so many do in so many places and try to live worthy of the freedom I have:

Lest we forget…

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Commitment - Promises

Greetings Dear Reader,

I wonder how often we consider that asking someone to promise something implies a level of mistrust.  The implication is that one saying he or she will do something is not enough.  It asks for a commitment beyond the commitment of yes or no.

Photo by Marissa Voo

It creates an implied contract “higher” or more serious than just saying you will or will not do something.  Even though our yes or no should be enough we make the issue more serious when we promise.  We enter in a contract that limits our choices and freedom.

When we make a promise we give the power over to the holder of the promise.  This becomes a deep measure of our character.  When we promise a lover that we will never leave them we give up our right to leave.  When we promise to stay at a job for a certain amount of time we are committed to that time.   We put ourselves in debt to the holder of the promise to pay what we have promised.

Breaking a promise is more than violating your yes or no.  It is tearing something away from the holder of your promise.  We reach into the mind or heart of the promise carrier and destroy the trust and confidence they hold.  We say clearly that we are willing to damage someone else to do as we want. 

The other aspect of this is that we think once the promise is violated we are free.  This is a lie.  Until the holder of the promise releases us from it every act that follows the path is tainted.  It does not mean that we cannot do good after that point in time.  It does mean that we still owe a debt.    

I ponder the promises I have broken along the journey and the damage this has done.  I have sought forgiveness where I could.  Further I have sought release where possible.  We are not free of the debt of a promise until the commitment is paid or we are released from it.  Even now some minor debts of time and service spring to mind that I must attend to. 

As a Christ follower I must remember to follow the example that we have from God of keeping a promise.  Peter points out that “The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.”

I must do what I say I will do when I say I will do it.  For all of us there are promises back there that may require some humility and faith for us to fulfill.  The holder of those promises is owed a debt.  There are consequences for not paying that debt.  Unfortunately we do not see them all and fool ourselves into thinking we are free.  Keeping them out of love for Christ should be our first step.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)