Pastor's Weekly Word

And the one who was seated on the throne said, 
“See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

His name was William. He was the youngest of three brothers, one of which was my grandfather who I am named after. Like his brothers, William was drafted into “The War”. World War II called a good many into service. It was sadly necessary, and hard, and heart breaking, and life taking. Serving in the war took William’s life when Japan made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was just a kid, the baby of the family. He died before he ever got the chance to really become an adult.

I was born many years after William’s death, but I heard about him growing up. One didn’t have to spend much time around my grandfather to realize that losing his younger brother so suddenly and senselessly took a toll on him. Without him saying a word, I knew that my grandfather’s opinion was that the world would have fared better if he or David (the oldest) had taken William’s place. I would’ve argued that, no doubt, but I knew I shouldn’t. My grandfather missed his brother.

Memorial Day is not just a time to remember those who have sacrificed themselves in service to our country. It is that, for sure, but it is also more than that. It is also to remember the families who deal with the pain of loss long after they are gone, wishing for just one more day with the one they thought would be coming back. It is to bow our head in disgust at the horrors of war, while also kneeling for the ones who enter it on our behalf. It is to spend time pining for a new creation that finally completes God’s promise of peace. It is to remember that we are charged with working toward the day when we no longer feel the need to send young men and women into gunfire, only to have the life they thought they were going to live stolen away from them.

I never knew you Uncle William, but I wish I did. Thank you, for everything.