Veterans

Photo by Kally Thompson Elliott

Remembering is how we learn,

how we connect,

how we honor, O God.

As Veterans’ Day approaches,

may our memories be filled

with these things:

gratitude for those who

trained for war, traveled to battle,

served with body, mind, and spirit,

and returned with their lives;

appreciation for the sacrifices

that soldiers and their families make

in order to serve and protect;

respect for the toll that war takes

on body, mind, and spirit,

not only in the trenches and bunkers,

but also in the home, street,

office, classroom, and social setting;

amazement for the way some are able

to overcome war’s lingering demons;

understanding for those who cannot

shake the images, thoughts,

and emotional train-wrecks of war

that have removed from them

all hope of finding normal again.

Give us courage to honor those

who have served, as well as wisdom

to recognize that war is not a path

that leads to your promises.

Instill in us, O Lord, a hunger for justice,

a thirst for righteousness,

and a craving for honesty

that opens our eyes, ears,

and hearts to a higher road;

a road that refuses to settle

for violence, fear, and hate;

a road that is neither easy nor simple,

but one that takes us

on an arduous journey toward

the mountain of your shalom;

a road where peace replaces cease-fire,

where bullets are molded into plowshares

and bombs into pruning hooks.

© 2013 Todd Jenkins