Worthy of Those Words...

TGIF greetings,

Yesterday I attended a funeral for someone who was buried with Military Honors.  I had never been to one, and it really touched my heart to see the 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps on the bugle.  What impacted me the most, however, was when the Honor Guard lifted the flag off the coffin, folded it with fierce precision, and lovingly placed it in the widow’s arms saying, “This flag is presented on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation as a token of appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.  God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America.”

I got the chills when I witnessed the ceremony first hand, and I got the chills again just re-writing it.  

And the person who passed was worthy of those words. Mario Felipe Seijo spent a lifetime expressing his great love for our country and humbly showing everyone who asked to see it, the Purple Heart he was awarded in Vietnam.  One time he allowed my then nine-year-old Rayray to actually take the Purple Heart to school for a presentation she was doing.  Rachel in her innocence asked for permission, and he, in his magnanimity said yes without giving it a second thought!

Most of us will not be buried with Military Honors, and I can’t even imagine what so many veterans, Mr. Seijo included, had to endure to be honored this way. However, we can all still be at the receiving end of some amazing words:

Matthew 25: 34-40 “The King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began.  I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me… I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me—you did it to Me.’”

Do we want to receive good things from God? Do want to inherit the kingdom? Be a blessing to others, and God will say the words in the verses above directly to you!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We take a moment to thank You for Mario Seijo and the veterans of this great nation who did so much for us.  We know that beyond the heartfelt words we could ever speak of them here, You have great rewards for them in Heaven.  In Your goodness, You also have rewards for those of us who choose to be a blessing to others.  Strengthen us in Jesus’ name to always be a shining light. We also pray for your peace for the Seijo family. In Christ’s name, AMEN~