Skip to main content

A Day of Remembrance

As we approach Memorial Day this year, we will be thinking about the suffering overseas, the needless deaths and destruction of cities in Ukraine. At home we will think about our fallen heroes of war. We will visit cemeteries and memorial sites and honor those who have fought and lost their lives in battle. We may spend time with family and friends, attend a picnic or family reunion. Whatever we do, we will reminisce and relive special memories about those who are no longer with us.

This Psalm comes to mind when I think of Memorial Day: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) We are so deeply saddened by our losses that we don’t realize that God is walking right next to us. If we believe in Him and have faith, He will pull us through even the hardest of times.

When we grieve, we all go through a time of feeling crushed in spirit. It is part of the healing process. If we listen closely, God is that voice inside of us. We are more sensitive to His presence when we need Him the most. He will heal us and eventually give us the strength we need to move forward.

As the years progress, we know in our hearts that those who have gone before us are in a better place with no suffering. We have hope that the war in Ukraine will end soon, and the killing will stop.

The brokenhearted will be healed and the crushed in spirit will find their way out of profound sadness to rise again, not only for Ukraine but for all the other parts of the world that are experiencing war and conflict right now.

Laura Cooper
Salem Office Administrator

Tags: Weekly Word