Black and White

The God and Country Festival is full of moments that are inspiring and breath-catching.
They really do all they can to celebrate and rejoice in God and honor our country. Part of that is a ceremony to honor those Missing in Action and Prisoners of War.
For this ceremony, a single black dove was released to represent POW/MIA.
We watched in solemn silence as it flew gracefully above our heads, aimless and alone.


Then we watched with tears in our eyes as a flock of white doves was released to represent active service members.
The white doves circled over our heads and followed the aimless trail of the black dove. For a few seconds, the air above held nothing but the whispy summer clouds.

Then, triumphantly, the flock of white doves reappeared with their lost friend and off they all flew.
United.
Together.
I love our country.
We are free. And we are free because so many men and women sacrificed. And are still sacrificing.
Not just active military, but their families: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, children...so many represented in that single black dove.
May we all rise to fly with the white doves, purposeful in our pursuit to gather in those who are hurting and lost.
Not just military. As a child of Christ, I know there are so many that He longs to call home to Him. So many who are wondering. Missing in Action from His loving arms and purpose for them.
So many prisoners of war. The war of sin and death.
The doves have been sent out. Will we gather in those who are lost?
Will we stand back and watch as the Father welcomes in the lost that He has been calling for?

1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15: 1- 7