Memorial Weekend I heard the phrase “Be worthy” repeated several times. It was in response to those who have sacrificed for our freedom. That hit a note with me. Am I worthy?
When my son was in eighth grade, his class traveled to Washington D.C. I was lucky to get one of the chaperone spots. I had never been to D.C. and felt so much emotion visiting the War Memorials and the Arlington Cemetery. If you’ve been there, you’ll understand. If you haven’t been there, you should plan a trip.
I wondered. Am I worthy? I try to be a kind person. I help my neighbors and volunteer in the community. I have for decades. I try to be a parent and wife who is supportive and understanding. I have my shortcomings. But have I done anything worthy of someone sacrificing their life for my freedom?
What do you think the phrase “Be worthy” means? How do you try to be worthy?
We have different views on “worthy”. I spent most of my adult life in Uniform, and I do not see “compassion” as the hallmark of worthy. Knowing WHEN to be compassionate is. Not every situation requires caring, loving, hugging….some require brute force, indifference, harshness and mercilessness. When the difference between you dying and the other guy dying is measured in nanoseconds, compassion is an impediment. Memorial day is a day for compassion to those that gave everything they had. If you know when to be compassionate, and when to be merciless. then you are worthy.
Thank you for your service and for clarifying “worthy.”
Yep. And to simplify: If a person breaks into your house, offering them a cup of tea then calling 9-1-1 – compassionate. A person breaks into your house and you replace the space between his eyebrows with 9mm lead and then call 9-1-1 – worthy.
This idea of having to do something to be worthy of freedom (and the defense of it) strikes me odd. Isn’t just being a person enough?
Good point.
I’m with Eilene on this one…..and people’s views on what is or is not worthy may vary.
I don’t know how much I like that phrase…I don’t like the thought that you have to be “worthy” to get something…worthy according to what standards?
I heard it repeatedly over Memorial Weekend by former military on TV. I think what they mean to tell us is to be grateful for the sacrifice people have given our country.
Yeah…there’s got to be a better way