PRESENT WEEK'S GLIMPSE OF GOD

Glimpse of God focusing on our Veterans 2026

Most of this week's Glimpse of God comes from OUR VETERANS: those who selflessly gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life for our country, those who survived in the midst of great suffering, death and despair, those who returned home with a great welcome, and those who returned with no fanfare at all, those who returned to their families who were there and supported them as they fought for our freedom and peace and those who came back to an empty house, all of these men and women Veterans are and will always be a Glimpse of God to me because no matter what war they fought or how it turned out, they said YES to God and their country and gave of themselves for others. Many of our grandparents, parents, children, siblings, neighbors, school alumni and community members, have served our country and are Veterans. Let us remember them thank them and pray for them. 

We celebrate Veterans Day this coming Wednesday, the day where we are called to remember those who said YES when asked to serve their country, who were called to return home to their God as they fought for our freedom and peace, and to thank those who survived the great trial of war and are left with the memories of their fallen comrades, their injuries, their isolation and the darkness that comes from war, death and their conscience.  Some of the Veterans who lived through great destruction, death and darkness will never speak of their experiences. They have placed them in a compartment of their soul that will not be brought out because of the impact, the devastation, and the sadness that they hold.

There are some Veterans who have selflessly fought the fight that our country called them to, but upon their return, their country did not recognize their battle, their cause, or their sufferings, and they are left feeling forgotten and alone. Whether the Veteran be that of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other fronts in which our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard members have deployed and sacrificed, we owe a great debt of gratitude for their selfless sacrifice for our country and our freedoms.

As we begin a new week, we begin our second full week  of more light earlier in the morning  but less by the end of the workday.  At this time each year we are reminded that it is the  end of daylight-saving time and we return to standard time.  How significant is this change in time to our Veterans and the celebration of Veterans Day? We lose significant daylight and are navigating more in darkness again. We may complain about being tired and about the increased amount of darkness and less sunshine or light, we may even suffer from depression because there is less light to fill our day, and that is our reality.

BUT, as we reflect on our Veterans let us remember that they were surrounded by the darkness of fear, war, injury, and death and although daylight was a gift and an asset in and to their fighting strategy, it was also the same for the enemy. They were more than tired; they didn’t have the opportunity to take a nap or chill out with their kids, take a day off, walk their dog, go to the store to purchase a gift for their loved ones, or play on their phones. They were men and women who at a very young age were taught by their parents the importance of values, morals, respect for life, compassion, concern for other, and selflessness. I believe that they were taught that no matter what they did, where they were or how bad they felt, they were not alone. Their God was with them, and they were always in their heart, thoughts, and prayers. They signed up to serve their God, country, and fellow man. They did not make it a conditional enlistment.They signed up knowing that there would be moments, days, or long spreads of time in darkness; physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but this wasn’t meant to consume, defeat, or overcome them.

They signed up to serve all people no matter what their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or color of their skin was. They served as an instrument of God’s peace and in the most difficult situation; to protect lives, they had to take lives. They signed up to eliminate the darkness of prejudice, hatred, and discord, by living their lives and by giving the ultimate sacrifice of their life, they hoped to be a flicker of light, by their compassion, empathy, service, and commitment. And then live with the horror of that action.  They bear the guilt and must deal with it so that they can be healed and become whole again. Some had and did, and some found the task too difficult. As we reflect on day light savings time and we want to complain about it or some aspect of it, let us take a moment to reflect on our veterans and how in and through their time of service, they were constantly vigilant about protecting life, serving their God, country, and fellow human being, and not losing hope. Let us try to follow their example and imitate the sacrifice, selflessness and the love for God and others by our actions, in our attitudes and through our prayers.  

SUNDAY – “V” –Voice

Our Veterans chose to use their voice to say Yes to serving and they have a voice today. They were called to use it to proclaim the freedom and the peace of God to those who were bound, unfree and living in fear. They used their voice as one of command with the troops, as well as one of reverence and respect as they pledged allegiance to the flag. Their voice carried as they shouted words of warning as well as when they shouted words of victory. They used their God given voice to serve God, country, and others. They were not ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid and neither should we be. Duty was not shirked but embraced!

For today have a voice, don’t swallow your thoughts, opinions, or perspectives out of fear, shame, or embarrassment. Don’t lose your voice over the loss of daylight but use it to proclaim how Christ light shines through the darkness of sin and that no matter how dark or lost one feels because the darkness of their sin, weakness or guilt, the light of God’s mercy, compassion, and love permeates and penetrates through the darkness. God gave you a voice, a personal way of looking at things, a unique perspective so that you can share them with others. When you use your voice to serve God it is not a voice of control but more of humility, it is not a voice that belittles, but rather builds up, it is not a voice of condemnation but rather of compassion.  Do you realize that God uses your voice to build up His kingdom here on earth? 

MONDAY – “E” – Empathy

To walk in another’s shoes and to attempt to see through the eyes of one another. Who among us has seen and heard what our Veterans have done and how it has impacted the concepts of life and liberty for our nation? We have much to appreciate for the sacrifices of our Veterans and their love of God and country!

For today, seek to be empathetic to someone that has served or is serving our country and listen to their story. Listen with an open heart and seek to understand what they are saying. Allow them to tell their story and allow their story to transform you and expand your heart.

TUESDAY – “T” – Thankfulness

Most of our Veterans are thankful that they could serve their country. It wasn’t easy, but it was a job that needed to be done and they were there to do it. We are all called to do things that are not easy, but God has chosen us to do them because He knows us best and our hearts desire and chooses us because He knows that we are the best for the job. Being thankful is a choice that you make.  Although we can make people say thanks, you can’t make someone feel thankful. As we continue to walk through standard time and more darkness emerges, let us remember that no matter how much physical day light may be missing, we have no reason to be afraid of the dark, Let us dedicate our life to living in the light of God’s love and being a person of compassion, trust, mercy, and peace so that others can walk in that light and not be afraid of the dark that the devil represents. 

For today, be genuine in your thankfulness and your expression of gratitude. Let it come from deep down and not just in lip service. Start with God and end with yourself. God deserves your gratitude for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon you, especially the gift and love of Jesus His son, but He is also grateful to you for who you are, the person that He created you to be, and for your undivided heart that seeks to serve Him faithfully. Offer a prayer of gratitude for the gift of Christ’s light that can never be snuffed and the daylight that we so much need to guide us on our physical journey. 

WEDNESDAY – “E” – Embrace ……EMBRACE A VETERAN AND WISH THEM HAPPY VETERANS DAY

Our Veterans were far from embracing. They did not have the blessing of a hug from their family or friends. When they were far away from home, they did not get to experience the joy of embracing their baby, their children, or their spouse, but they did have the grace to recognize that God is always embracing them and holding them deeply close to Himself. There are many reasons for an embrace, it could be an embrace to offer reconciliation, extend peace, or share joy. We all need to be embraced. God wants to and is always there to embrace us spiritually and asks that we be there to extend His embrace to His sons and daughters who need hope and feeling loved.

For today, embrace someone that needs to feel the love and compassion of God through you.

THURSDAY - “R”- Resurrection: This is the day that they Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad.

Our Veterans were men and women who had hope and did not let the circumstances that surrounded them defeat them. They were resurrection men and women. They lived through many good Fridays, but they stayed the course because they knew that Easter Sunday would follow, that there would be a resurrection and death would not have the final word.

Can you think of something that is causing you to keep looking in at the empty tomb and not believing that Jesus has risen, and that death does not have the final word? In what part of your life are you lacking in hope and choosing to stay in discouragement, or despair?

For today, be a resurrection people and choose to have hope and send the devil of despair away for good. Choose to embrace the end of daylight time, your mini tomb experiences, your cross, life challenges so that the fear of darkness dissipates, and you can begin to emerge from your tomb a renewed, healed, whole and jubilant believer. 

FRIDAY - “A” – Anonymous

Our Veterans did not serve to become famous. They did not serve so that their names would be written everywhere, or that they would get extra benefits. They selflessly served, not selfishly, and they chose and continue to choose, to remain anonymous because they know that the glory and honor goes only to God not humans. They are heroes, heroines, but by choosing to be anonymous it allows them to grow in holiness, and humility so that they can serve God better.

For today, can you choose to be anonymous when choosing not to be, will afford you notoriety, fame, and fortune. You are a resurrection people, let people know that and let them see that in your words, deeds, and actions. 

SATURDAY – “N” – Never.  LET US NEVER FORGET

Don’t say never when asked to spend time with a Veteran.

The word never has a finality to it. Reach out to our service members ---- they are a part of our nation’s heritage and history whose lessons need to be passed on to future generations. The Greatest generation’s numbers are dwindling every day. So too our Korean vets and Vietnam Vets numbers are also growing smaller. Thank them, honor them, and please keep them and their families in your prayers.

For today, as you recall the words that Freedom is not free but is earned, must be treasured, and respected each and every day, live them out by your support for veterans and your respect for what they have given you. As we all give honor and show respect for our Veterans, let us not lose sight of giving first God the glory and honor for choosing them to serve Him, their fellow human beings(us), and their country. Let us remember that although there may be more hours of darkness these days, that Gad’s love, call to commitment is always a sign and beacon of light