Patriot: Daughter of a Soldier

I’m the daughter of an infantryman. I don’t consider myself a military brat, because I was 16 before my dad joined, but regardless, my daddy is a soldier. I’ve always been a patriot though. I love this country. Do I like the state it’s in now? No way! But I can’t think of many other places I’d want to live. And I support our troops in any way I can.

Today at lunch a friend of mine made a comment that was rather upsetting to me. I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t want to get into an argument (big thing for me- I’m a very confrontational person) but I wanted so badly to put him in his place. He said, “I don’t think military personnel should get discounts anywhere. Military is service, they shouldn’t be rewarded for it.” And boom! I’m seeing red. And it had nothing to do with the scarf I’m wearing today.

Yes, a career in the military certainly is service. But it is still a career. It’s the only means of income they have. And while officers make a decent salary, enlisted men and women don’t make enough to live on.

My dad is a 40 year old enlisted infantryman with a wife, two teenage boys, and a 20 year old daughter in college. When you break down his salary, he makes less than $4 and hour. And that’s if he only worked 8-hour days, but you know what? It’s the army, and they’ll keep him at work as long as they want each day, on top of making him pull 24-hour shifts at least once or twice a month. Can you live on $4 an hour? Because I sure as heck can’t! Taking care of a family on a military salary… more often than not, ends don’t meet.

There have been times when the only reason my family could afford to eat is because of the lower prices at the commissary. Times the only reason we were able to have food at Thanksgiving was because of donations for military families. Years where the only reason we were able to do anything for Christmas is because of Sears’ Christmas program for military families and ACS and USO events. I can’t count the number of times the only reason I was able travel in order to visit family was thanks to military discounts. The only way my family is able to afford cell phones so we can keep in touch as we’re all so far away from each other. I know some of all this seems really superficial, but take it away, and you realize how important it really is.

Do I get upset when somewhere doesn’t offer a military discount? No way! That’s their choice. It’s their business. But I can’t put into words how blessed I am by those who choose to give back to those who serve this country. It’s just one way people give back and show their appreciation.

So, military personnel shouldn’t be rewarded because what they do is a service? So they shouldn’t be given silver start or purple hearts either, right? They shouldn’t be offered scholarships to continue their education?

Police officers and fire fighters shouldn’t be offered any thanks for what they do either, then. Or teachers, for that matter. They’re all in positions of service too. The little boy who mows the lawn for the elderly widow down the street should refuse the lemonade and cookies she offers him when he’s done, because he’s serving, right? Church volunteers shouldn’t attend the “thank you” lunches the church puts on for them, or accept the gift cards offered at Christmas, because they’re serving, right? Is this what you’re saying? Because this is what I’m hearing.

Don’t talk about things you don’t understand. I know this friend appreciates and respects the military, but a statement like the one he made doesn’t make it sound like he does. I try my best to respect other people’s opinions, but take into consideration what you’re saying and who you’re saying it to; remember that you don’t always know the circumstances that are going to effect someone’s perception of what you say.

Worship

Worship is a controversial subject not only from denomination to denomination, but from church to church. Do we use instruments? If so, do we just use an organ or are other instruments okay? Do we stick to traditional hymns? Or is it okay to add more contemporary songs? Is it acceptable to raise our hands? Can we dance? Can we prostrate ourselves at the altar? Ask these questions to ten different people, and you’ll come back with at least twenty different answers.

Personally, I don’t believe any one form of worship is the “right” way to worship. I’ve worshiped in churches that sang only hymns with no instruments, hymns with just an organ, just acoustic worship, hymns and contemporary songs, and churches whose worship could have been mistaken for a concert. Are any of these “right?” Are any of these “wrong?” No. Everyone worships differently. What matters is where your heart is.

Do I enjoy slow, old, out of tune hymns with no music? Nope. Do I feel a sense of worship when the music is so loud and there’s so many lights flashing I can’t hear myself think? Nope. But that’s just me, and who am I to judge the hearts of those around me? A heart of worship may come in one environment for one person, and a completely different environment for someone else.

Now, while I maintain that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to worship, there are wrong attitudes and wrong practices of worship. One specific thing that never fails to anger me is many “Christians” attitude toward one certain worship practice: the raising of hands.

Only once have I heard a semi-logical  argument against this practice. Most of the time people have no reason why they dislike it, yet they adamantly oppose it.The only time I’ve heard an argument against it that had any basis, the practice was compared to the Tower of Babel; trying to physically reach God. And if that’s your mind set when you raise your hands, then yes, that is wrong.

The raising of hands is not an act of trying to reach God. Raising your hands is an act of complete surrender.

In self defense, one of the first things you learn, and something that is constantly repeated, is to protect your center. Everything important and vital in your body can be found along that center line. You angle your body away, pull your arms in tight, and never raise your hands above your eyes, always, always guarding you center.

Raising your hands leaves everything open. Raising your hands leaves everything vulnerable. Raising your hands leaves everything completely exposed. It is a sign of surrender. You are leaving yourself at the mercy of whoever may be present. In worship, raising your hands is complete and utter surrender to God.