Holding the Torch High

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

It was upon the death of a friend and comrade who lost his life during the battle the previous day that Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD., of the Canadian Army expended precious moments of rest to compose this tribute as he looked across to a cemetery where wild poppies had sprung up and were being blown by a gentle wind. From the first, I've always liked that poem, for to me it is the epitome embodiment of the many courageous men and their effort to serve their country. With a cause they are devoted to, they press on into the battle, even giving their all if that is what is called of them. And the silent, or not so silent, charge and entreaty to carry on, to not allow the fight of the fallen to be in vain. The courageous who survive march onward despite, or because of, the losses all around them.

Let us, the Soldiers of Christ, also not allow our fight be in vain. Let us be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 12:1-2; II Timothy 2:3)

To those who have served or are serving, I salute you. Thank you for your example, your service, and your dedication.

The Virtuous Woman

The example of a faithful woman is so important to everyone around her. When you think of all the things about your mother that meant so much to you, it's not a wonder the Bible has much to say about them.

Her husband can trust her. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." (Proverbs 31:11-12)

He can count on her to help prepare, keep, nurture, and care for their home. "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands." (Proverbs 14:1) "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31:13-24, 27)

Her children watch her, listen to her, learn from her. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." (Proverbs 31:28)

They and others know they can look to her, trust her words, and heed her advice. "Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." (Proverbs 31:25-26)

And it's even more than that. In the Scriptures, the apostle Paul speaks of the impact the lives of two women had on Timothy's life. "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." (II Timothy 1:5) Their faith and trust in Christ were evident and true to those around them. Their testimonies loudly proclaimed His Gospel, and they were used to show others that Christ is the one and only Way.

I am so thankful that I have had the examples of godly women in my life. Much like Timothy, my own great-grandmother trusted Christ, then led her children to Him by her faithfulness to Him as she lived her daily life. My grandmother also led her children to Christ, and I was with my mother when I trusted Christ and asked Him to come into my own life. It is because of their testimonies that I have come to know the love of Christ and have seen what it means to live a life for Christ, well equipped and prepared for what each day may hold.

I'd like to wish a happy Mother's Day to my mom and grandmothers, and to all the moms who may be reading this. I encourage you to keep modeling the life of a faithful woman, intent on seeking to draw closer and closer to Christ's perfect example, living out the fullness of joy found only in Him. I imagine there are some moms who may have regrets or feel that it's too late to be the great mom you wish you could have been. None of us is perfect, which is why Jesus came to suffer and die for our sins. Anyone who will place their trust in Him will become His child and be saved forever. And with His help, each of us can become the person we should be, the example we should be, the faithful woman we ought to be. "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)