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Thankful Thursday - Prayer


I’m praying for the military today. I have never fully appreciated the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform until members of my family began to serve our country. I’m thankful to the people I meet who express their care for my loved ones in the military. Their prayers bring so much comfort.

Americans have changed. It wasn’t like this back in 1970 when my husband was finishing his second tour in Viet Nam. He, like so many his age, came home in uniform that spring and Americans at Chicago O’Hare Airport shouted obscenities to him. Taking the bus home to the suburb where he lived, war haters tried to spit on him. Thankfully, those days are behind us. I think we’re wiser today when it comes to our troops.

It appears that Michelle Obama is wiser for having toured the country during her husband’s campaign listening to Americans tell their stories of losses and sacrifices for this country that their loved ones make on a daily basis. Michelle said: “If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that when our servicemen and women go to war, their families go with them. I saw how they take care of each other, heard how they fill in whenever the system fails and discovered that the trials they faced always were matched by the hope they share that better days are still ahead.” She goes on to say: “As I watch Barack take that oath, I’ll be thinking especially about those members of our American family who stand guard across the world and the loved ones who await their safe return.”

Michelle said her main focus as First Lady would be our working families, especially the military families. I’m praying for Michelle Obama. She has a platform to do something great for America if she keeps true to her promise.

I invite you to read more on prayer and thankfulness at Lori’s Reflections. Many wonderful writers participate and you will be inspired to pray and be thankful!
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Comments

  1. DeniseJanuary 22, 2009 at 7:29 AM

    Praying with you dear.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laurie AnnJanuary 22, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Praying with you, too! Happy TT!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CarrieJanuary 22, 2009 at 9:21 AM

    thanks mom.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Debbie PetrasJanuary 22, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    I also remember the Vietnam years. My cousin returned with similar experiences. I'm so glad that today people are so much more supportive of our military and their families. And yes, we need to pray that Michelle will use her platform in a good way to bring attention to those families and their needs.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MelanieJanuary 22, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    Great post! I'm praying right along with you!

    Happy Thankful Thursday!

    ReplyDelete
  6. BonnieJanuary 22, 2009 at 2:40 PM

    Oh what a beautiful post!! I am, like you, looking forward to what Michelle Obama will do with her time as First Lady. She strikes me as a caring, compassionate, brilliant woman who will take those "heart" issues and work on them, helping us help one another. Thank you for the reminder of just one more reason to admire the woman married to our President. Thanks for sharing! Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    let's pray together.

    thanks for dropping by my TT.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LoriJanuary 22, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    Amen. I married a man who grew up on military bases. He traveled his whole life. I too am thankful for all they do. Have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. iJanuary 22, 2009 at 9:55 PM

    A lovely post! Your post reminded me of the time I grew up near the naval base. Sometimes I get to see them going for some gruel running outside the base under the hot scorching sun. Such rigid daily training and sacrifices made to protect the country. Thankful for them. God bless them!

    ReplyDelete

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