The Unseen Struggle

November 11, 2008

This world is full of injustices and horrors, hurts and indifferences. We are all ‘walking wounded’ in one way or another. It is a common thread in humanity. It is the nature of mankind. Not the way that God intended, but a reflection of the struggle between good and evil that rages inside each of us.

We all have been kind and cruel, loving and detached, brave and afraid, upright and in the gutter. No one is immune. Many of us choose to live only briefly outside our comfort zones and try to pretend that these darker qualities found in each of us do not exist.

But our soldiers learn to embrace these qualities, the good and the bad, and live way outside of comfort zones…. not for the thrill or the prestige, but to replenish HOPE, a belief that good will win over evil. They fight for our freedom- for their families and ours. They embrace the ugly, dark sides of themselves in order to survive. Not to maintain comfort or a standard of living, but to preserve their LIVES….and ours.

What would it take for you to end the life of another?

What would you give your life for?

We all bleed. We all cry. We all loose sleep…. but when was the last time that you were aware that someone bled for you?, cried just for you?, stayed awake for days for you? What about killed for you….

What about died for you?

Our soldiers do it everyday, just as they have for decades, just as they will continue to do for decades more. Because evil will always rear its head, there will always be an imbalance, a struggle for our souls…until Christ comes to make all things right.

So as you relax tonight, say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for our soldiers, and pray for their strength, their protection… but mostly for their struggle with their own individual demons to be resolved, to find peace in themselves, and to find the loving God who never intended for us to live this way. Pray for their souls as they encounter the battle, physically and spiritually. They need our support and our appreciation. If you know a veteran or soldier, personally thank them for their sacrifices. Let them know that you are praying for them.

I just did. I wrote this for my brother Mike, currently serving as SSgt in the Air Force. Thanks Mike we’re all so proud of you, your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. We love you.

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Posted by Jamie | Filed Under Blogging

Comments

Jamie Simmerman

Hey Matthew, I think Canada is one of the most peace loving countries on planet earth. I hope you never have to face that decision, but I think it's noble you would fight for freedom.
Matthew Dryden

I feel like if I knew that I needed to - I would go to war. I haven't ever been faced with that decision, and there are plenty of others to fight for me, and for that I am thankful - I appreciate what those soldiers do and have done for me and my family.

<abbr>Matthew Dryden´s last spectacular blog post..Who the Eff is Matthew Dryden?</abbr>
Jamie Simmerman

Lance, thanks for your gratitude, I'll be sure to pass it on to my brother.

"I become insulated to what happens outside of my area of knowing." That is really is the root of out deception.

That's a beautiful prayer, and I agree with you before our Lord, Lance.
Lance

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mike, and all the other soldiers out there - fighting for MY freedom, for YOUR freedom, for OUR freedom. Sitting here in the comfort of my own home, the worst thing I notice is - well - nothing. All is good. All is peaceful right now. I become insulated to what happens outside of my area of knowing. To the worlds far away where war is all too common. To where our soldiers go to defend the freedom I so easily enjoy. They bleed, they cry, they wrestle with demons - Jamie - this really got me. It becomes so much more personal the way you've said it - so real. I am so lucky to enjoy the freedoms I do. And I WILL remember those who fight to make this possible.

And my prayer is that our God of of infinite love and understanding will be with all of our soldiers as they fight for our freedoms, and for peace within themselves.

<abbr>Lance´s last spectacular blog post..Believe In Yourself</abbr>
Oktober Five

Being someone who has lived through very few wars but who will undoubtably live through many to come, I wonder why very few people talk about it--about war. You're right, people die every day... for us! It seems like something we would talk about more often.

Your parallel of real war and our inner struggle is fitting. We often don't talk about that inner struggle just as we don't about the physical war going on outside. It's like the topic is mute, as if there were nothing more to say about it. I think there is plenty to say about it, and you said a lot of it very well. Each war merits our attention and concern, although I would argue our inner battle seems more critical. If we lose that one, we lose any battle yet to come, physical or otherwise.
Jamie Simmerman

Hey Sean, I agree, and I'll pass your thanks onto Michael. I see him tomorrow for lunch. :)
Writer Dad

Very sweet, Jamie. Daisy's dad was in the Air Force. She's RED, WHITE, and BLUE, all the way. Anyone who dismisses the military has no perspective of what life would be like without them.

Thank you, Mike.

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Bright Ideas</abbr>
Jamie Simmerman

Wendi, were you sitting on your feed reader when that post rolled out? You're fast today! You get a cookie.(Just don't tell Blogger Dad, he steals all the ones with the sprinkles.) :D

Seriously, I comletely agree with you. And as the daughter, sister and daughter-in-law of soldiers/veterans, I know what a kind word of thanks means to those who sacrifice for freedom. Thanks for showing your gratitude.
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Insp

Jamie,

A soldier's gift is a lot like Christ's gift. It CAN'T be paid back.

The gift is unmeasureable. The only way to even come close, is to live a life of gratitude, love and generousity to others. Pass the gift forward as best we can, leave the world better than we found it.

It's Veteran's Day in America today. Maybe not everywhere, I don't know, but in all countries everywhere, where men and women give the gift of themselves, I for one honor them today by trying to live a life of gratitude and love and passing it forward to all others.

<abbr>Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations´s last spectacular blog post..High Flying Faith</abbr>