One day a year we Americans are suppose to stop and reflect on those who serve our country and have died in the line of military service defending our freedom. Unofficially it is the beginning of summer and a three day weekend. I did more of the later than the former. Today I mowed the lawn. I got to go eat a great breakfast with my wife and kids. I read a brief bit of the life of Augustine and how it affected Martin Luther’s understanding of faith. We bought a dozen picture frames off Craigslists from a guy I am pretty sure has been stoned since the 80s. We got kids home for their naps and after a brief rest went to the in laws for lunch.

Once there my father-in-law asked if we could move a couch for him. What he didn’t have to say was that it was a three part sectional on their third floor and needed to come to the first. His son and daughter-in-law were there to eat lunch as well and we decided to tackle getting it down. So my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and myself trekked the couch from upstairs to downstairs in what would have made professional movers laugh hysterically. I felt accomplished that I got them to take a four foot by three foot high guard rail at the top of third floor down so we would not have to swing the couch around a tough, tight, and twisted staircase. After my brother-in-law left we carried a hundred pound tv up to the third floor. I was then and still am so hoping this doesn’t mess with my back. So far just a bit of a ache. For a short while doing pretty tough work was trying to rob me of my joy. I was a bit grouchy with my wife for which I had to apologize later.

As my Memorial Day winds down I just have to say thank you God for Memorial Day. I live in a country where I can forget how incredibly easy most of us have it. Most people reading this are by world and historical standards blessed beyond belief. We here in the USA enjoy freedom purchased by the blood of men that laid down their lives so we could enjoy ours. I got to enjoy eating breakfast in a restaurant, having income enough to buy frames for photos to remind me of the joy of my family, and the satisfaction that my extended family has been blessed enough to have furniture paid for and able to move it their three story house which my father in law hand built. We are a blessed people. This is a good thought for Memorial Day and hopefully beyond. Someone paid for my temporal freedom today. May I remember that when I have moments that I need to fight for joy.