Gorillas, God & Memorial Day

Last week we all experienced horror as we read of a child in danger and the subsequent death of a gorilla. I’m certain I am not the only mother that gasped at the thought of her child slipping away. Moms and Dads alike have nightmares of some horrible accident happening to their child while under their watchful eye. As the nation went into a frenzy of blame and debated what should have happened and who should be punished, I read headlines and Facebook posts in disbelief. We should be saddened at the death of an animal that was guilty of being just that, an animal. The only thing that needs to surpass our indignation over this loss should be our joy because the child is okay. Imagine for a millisecond the face of your child, your grandchild, being plunged under water and violently drug through the mote. Oh, the joy of holding that child once again! As God’s people we are called to take care of the earth and all that is in it. The higher calling is to take care of the children. In fact, Jesus said “But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea!” (Matthew 18) As the battle over the best headline raged, Memorial Day quietly arrived as the sun came up and slipped into history as dusk. I am not one to wish others a “happy” Memorial Day. When we remember what the day is set apart for we know it is a sorrowful day for families of the warriors who didn’t come home. It is a somber day for the warriors who came home without a brother or sister in arms. As I rethink last week’s headlines and the response of Americans, I cannot help but thank God once again. Scores of warriors have given their lives for the heart of America—freedom. We are free to be stupid. We are free to be intelligent. We are free to prove it when we speak. We are free to pursue our dreams. We are free to choose an occupation. We are free to eat what we please. We are free to protest the death of a gorilla. We are free to be outraged over the death of innocent children. We are free to worship the God who created us in His image. Men and women died. Men and women came home changed forever. So we can be free. Don’t take away my right to be wrong. In doing so, you take away my right to be right. I’m so grateful to God that I am an American. God bless America, and God bless her warriors.