Thank You

Father, son, brother, husband, friend, neighbor, soldier...the more names you attach to a person, the wider the web becomes of who is connected to this person.

Today the family of Cpl. BJ Luxmore laid him to rest, and judging from the number of people who turned out to remember BJ and support his family at this time of incredible mourning, it's quite obvious that his web encompassed many.  I never had a chance to meet BJ, but I do have the privilege of knowing his grandparents and several other members of his extended family, and from knowing them, it's easy to see how this young man grew up to become the man he did.


One of the things I often stress in my confirmation class is how we are so privileged to worship freely and without threat in our country, a freedom that's been made possible by so many brave people like BJ who have given their lives so we can enjoy those freedoms.  I don't think think the appreciation always comes across to the kids like I intend it to, but, now, with this incredible tragedy so close to home, I think I've come to the realization that I probably don't appreciate my freedom to worship, among so many other freedoms, nearly as much as I should either.


BJ, thank you for reminding me of these freedoms I do have.  Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for me so I can sleep tonight without the threat of somebody coming into my home and imprisoning me or sentencing me to death, simply because I worship freely.  I may not have been a person who was connected to you in this lifetime, but I pray that I do have that privilege when I am called to the heavenly home in which you now rest.


Well done, good and faithful servant.


Pastor Mark