GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
It’s important to note first and foremost to everyone who reads GIG LINE that we are at a time of sad remembrance. On December 7, 1941 life turned upside down for Americans…both military and civilian alike. The Imperial Japanese Navy conducted a surprise military attack against the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which resulted in the initiation of the United States entry into WWII. According to Wikipedia “All eight U. S. Navy battleships were damaged with four being sunk”. During this act of aggression “2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded”. As we celebrate the season that is upon us, please remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during that time of our nation’s military history.
As time draws closer to Christmas day there are three ‘things’ that we can focus on that could make this very special time of year, the best one yet: one is the greatest gift of all…love; secondly…faith…and the last…but certainly not the least…time.
If you ask most people their opinion on what makes the world go ‘round, they’d likely say ‘love’. A precious, yet profound four letter word that sums up what every one of us seek regardless of personal wealth or level of need; a ‘thing’ we cannot see…love is something we cannot measure…we cannot weigh, yet we dream about it, pray for it and we enjoy it throughout our life from the time we emerge into this world sucking air to the last breath we draw; it is something so powerful it makes us happy, it helps us forgive those who have hurt us and it compels us to be better for each other even more than for ourselves…it gives us hope; it brings a smile and in general, it completes us. When we have it in our lives, we feel as if we are invincible…when we don’t…we are sad, lonely and feel somewhat misplaced. It is a ‘thing’ that has no color, no fragrance, and you cannot see it…but rather the effect it has on those who embrace it is monumental; it is a ‘thing’ that no amount of money in the world can buy…not real love anyway. Love is something exceptionally stubborn people deny they need…but it’s a proven fact that those who have or feel it respond positively to it and even thrive when it surrounds them.
Faith…another thing we cannot see or hold goes hand in hand with love. It is a ‘thing’ that makes you look toward tomorrow even during your greatest trials or struggles; it is what makes you trudge on in life hoping for a better day when some days are just plain hard to get through; ‘faith’ helps you press on toward the goal that you want to achieve believing that you can do it…you can accomplish it…and the faith that you believe in yourself or others helps you see tasks through to completion and your vision come to reality; faith gives you anticipation, eagerness and a sense that things will be OK…it keeps you hoping and praying and believing in the better good.
Time…can go on and on for years and years…or not. It is another powerhouse word that can make all the difference to someone who is sick…someone facing the shut down of a business…the loss of their home…of a job…or of a marriage. Time is an inevitable for all of us and how we spend it is crucial…to all of us. We can waste it and eventually look back with regret wishing we had used our ‘time’ more wisely, more effectively or more considerately. Time can be used for good…for the Lord…for our families…at our workplace and for uplifting our fellow man.
Of the three ‘things’ to think about in advance of this Christmas…time is the only one that can be measured by the hands on a clock, digital change or at the great big sun or moon above. It is the ‘thing’ that keeps us mindful of commitments, obligations and promises and it inspires us all to have a ‘bucket list’ of things we hope to experience during our lifetime. Like the others, time is a precious ‘thing’…it is non specific to race, sex, creed, religion, familial or financial status. It is what we all have to spend…what we all want more of to do our work, complete a project or to simply…live. Time cannot be manufactured but…it can be cherished…and it can and should be celebrated and savored.
All of the men and women who have fought to uphold our country have experienced these three ‘things’ just like the rest of us.
Having written GIG LINE over the past few years, I’ve come to know the mindset of many of our veterans. I’ve learned how much they’ve depended on the love of their families and friends to see them through deployment and war…and fear; I’ve learned that faith is what kept most of our troops going when they endured swampy jungles, dark underground tunnels and boiling hot desserts…faith…they told me helped them envision seeing an end to it all and a return to their homeland America; faith in themselves and in their ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ who served side by side taught them how much we all need each other…I’ve also heard them say time and again, that their faith in God is what really got them through. Time…another four letter word matters for our veterans…it measures when a deployed soldier can come home, when they’ll be eligible for a promotion…and what they might face while serving our country. Time carries great value to the men and women who served stateside throughout their career who perhaps don’t realize their greatness defending America right here at home; time is what collects our memories and the treasures of our mind…and the nightmares too. Love, faith and time all three go hand in hand…having shaped who we are, what we stand up for and what we stand against.
Between now and this Christmas 2014, consider the love you have for others; that God’s word tells us the power in faith even as the grain of mustard seed and consider that utilizing our time together can bring us the greatest joy ever depending on how we use it.
My sweetie pie Billy and I thank all veterans for their service to our country and we thank God for our blessings of love, faith and our time together with you. We pray for peace, good health and happiness and a greater show of support and appreciation for all of our men and women who serve today and the families they miss. As always, thank you for reading GIG LINE. Until next time, be happy, be safe and be proud and God bless you al