Honor Veterans and God Today by Loving One Another

I was volunteering at our church’s Greek Festival recently, cooking the lamb chops, when I saw a family friend, Ciro Menos and, his son, George, walk by.  Ciro was my father’s best friend and someone I’d known since I was in high school. He is a World War Two veteran who recently lost his wife.

Unfortunately, I was so swamped with lamb chop orders, all I could do was wave to Ciro and his son.

As I kept cooking, I thought back to memories I had of Ciro and how he was always so kind to me, through the years. When things finally slowed down, I saw his son and asked him to bring his Dad around so we could take a picture together and I could say hello to him.

That is when we took this picture. It was just a short moment, but I could tell it meant a lot to him and to me, too. 

It reminded me of two bible verses. Ciro’s World War Two veteran hat reminded me of John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This verse is referring to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for all of us: dying on the cross so that we have the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven with God.

So many of these great Veterans have put their lives on the line for all of us, so that we can live in freedom, in this country and in our lives.

The other verse that came to mind was John 15:12 - My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you;

I have found that showing our love to someone can be as simple as stopping to take a picture with them, as Ciro and I did.

Showing love doesn’t have to be elaborate, time consuming, or expensive. Write a note of appreciation for your spouse, volunteer in your community, hold the door for a stranger, cut your elderly neighbor’s grass, or pay for someone’s coffee on your next Starbucks run.

Stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear have been at an all-time high for almost two years now. But your seemingly small acts of kindness can turn around someone’s day and will infuse a little more love, positivity, and happiness into our world.

Today, on this Veteran’s Day, especially, spread a little love. Go outside your comfort zone. Pray to God for inspiration or guidance on acts that He wants you to complete. When we focus on others’ happiness, we benefit as well, by experiencing a new level of personal fulfillment, growth, and satisfaction.

And, of course, thank the veterans in your life and any you may come across in your activities today. Putting their own lives on the line for our freedom is a beautiful act of selflessness and love that should never be forgotten.

Remember John 15:12, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you; and spread love in your loved ones’ lives with our new Faith, Hope & Love Community mug.