Lent Day 32, Saturday, March 21, 2026
“Thank a Military Service Member”

Today’s challenge is to thank someone who is serving or has served in the military. You may have someone in your own home, which makes this easy. Others of us will need to be more intentional and keep our eyes open. Many people are currently in uniform. Many others once wore the uniform and now serve in different ways. Their service still matters in every way, and our veterans absolutely deserve our sincere thanks.

I am not the one putting my life on the line to protect the freedoms I enjoy, including the freedom to gather for worship. Nor is my family waiting through the night, hoping for a call from a loved one serving far from home in a different time zone.

In that sense, I consider myself blessed. God did not place a call to military service on my heart. Instead, God called me to serve as a pastor to many who have served in the military and the Coast Guard. From time to time, I am asked to lead services at national cemeteries for a service member or a spouse. In those moments, I often feel humbled by what they have given, yet I am grateful for the opportunity to offer something in return.

Today, take a moment to thank a service member or a veteran. If you do not encounter one today, stay attentive in the days ahead. They are all around us. Sometimes, a simple conversation with a stranger can become a meaningful moment of gratitude.

A sincere “thank you” can go a long way.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15:13, NIV)