Freedom’s Price: A Memorial Day Reflection and Prayer

 

I had more windshield time today, which got me in my feelings as I reflected on the true meaning of this weekend. There’s often confusion around what Memorial Day really represents, and you know me—I had to share my heart.

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦.

It’s easy to get swept up in long weekend plans—cookouts, travel, and much-needed rest. And while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying those moments, I pray we never lose sight of what this holiday truly means.

It’s not just a day off.

It’s not simply the “unofficial start of summer.”

It’s a sacred pause—a moment to remember those who never made it home, who gave everything so we could live freely. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧.

I hope we all take time to reflect, pray for the families who grieve, and give thanks. Without their sacrifice, we wouldn’t have the peace we so often enjoy.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” —John 15:13 (NIV)

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, remembering those who gave their lives in service to our nation. Thank You for their courage and sacrifice. Comfort the families who carry the weight of loss. Wrap them in peace that surpasses understanding. May we never take our freedom for granted, and may we live in a way that honors the price that was paid. Help us be people of peace, justice, and unity. Let this weekend be marked not only by joy, but by reverence and remembrance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓜𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓪𝔂.

Love,

Candye