“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)
Tell Them Face To Face
SPEAK: Now is a great time to begin talking face to face. Be bold and say “Thank you!” to all of those people who choose to serve and protect you and your family. They don’t need your sympathy. They need your gratitude. Your encouraging words will help them through another week of sacrifice.
BLESS: If you are able, another special way to bless our service people and their families is to give them a gift card. Any gift card will do. Restaurants, Department Stores, Grocery Stores, Gas Cards, Visa Cash Cards to be used anywhere and of course, Starbucks. Purchase the cards ahead of time and keep them handy in your pocket, wallet or purse. Everyone loves a surprise gift! And there is a side benefit. You will feel so blessed when you bless them.
SHARE: Choose good and positive stories of thanks in your daily conversations. Skip the junk that degrades and disrespects our service people. Choose to skip the movies from Hollywood that trash people who serve their country. Skip purchasing the books that do the same.
BE INTENTIONAL: Step out and do something nice for their spouse and family while they are deployed. Take a meal once a week/month. Offer to take the children to the movies or the local park for fun while Mom gets a chance to breath. Run a few errands for the family. Mow the grass. Help fix the car. God desires for us to use our talents and gifts to help others, especially those who are willing to die for our freedom.
Little bits of kindness and appreciation will go a long way. Approaching a stranger may be out of your comfort zone but go ahead and try. All it takes is something as simple as looking them in the eye, offering a firm hand shake and a sincere statement like: “Thank you for your sacrifice! We appreciate you!” Now is a great time to remember all who serve.
PRAY: Most importantly, pray for those who serve and their families. Ask God to reveal Himself to them in a mighty way and provide for their every need. Pray for provision, peace, patience and protection.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
