Did you know that the soldiers who have the honorable duty of marching in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier spend 40-50 hours preparring their shoes for the task? Then, they spend 4-6 hours each day just shinning their shoes in between guard walks.

I am currently reading a book about Honor. In the book, the author, Robert Barriger, talks some about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the soldiers who guard the tomb everyday. Stories about our military always inspire me, convict me, and challenge me.

For 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year since 1937, soldiers have kept watch. Or, it equals 76 years, 27,740 days, 665,760 hours, that soldiers have kept watch! And, they are doing it right now even as I type this blog. Soldiers who are assigned to this regimen consider it the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person.

The three soldiers who lay in this tomb are known only to God. Nevertheless, the soldiers who keep guard do so with the utmost honor and respect. They show honor and respect for the three soldiers who sacrificed their future so that they might have one. So, we might have one.

The protocol established and the act of honor for these unknown soldiers is deeply humbling.

Even in the midst of storms, soldiers keep watch. When Hurricane Isabel and Sandy threatened the East coast, including Washington, D.C., the soldiers where given an option to stand down if conditions got too dangerous. I am sure you can all guess what their response was to the “Stand Down” option. Yes, you are right. They responded by saying, “No way, Sir!”

In spite of hours of marching in soaking rain and high powered winds of a tropical storm, the Soldiers assigned to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier saw it as more than a job assignment, but rather the highest honor of their life.

As I think about the respect and honor our soldiers pay towards one another, I also think about the level of honor and respect I pay towards others, including the one who died for me and my everlasting future.

Over the last year, my faith has been challenged. But, there is a reason why Paul said to “fight the good fight of Faith.” I have experienced challenges, trials, tests, and heartache that have been so difficuIt. But, we were never promised that this so-called life would be easy. I have learned that having FAITH means that I will also have questions that may never be answered.

In the wee hours of the morning that dreadful day in February as I drove home from the hospital, I kept saying over and over and over again, “I don’t understand, Lord, but I trust you.” Daily I have been on a mission to figure out exactly what that phrase looks like in my life. It is one thing to make a profound statement, but it is a totally different thing to walk it out.

Bottom line…it simply means that it doesn’t matter what we go through or what happens…God is still God. And, I have decided that I trust Him. I want to honor my Lord like the soldiers honor the tomb. High winds, rain, hurricane conditions, strict shoe shinning regimen, and more, they consider their assignment as the greatest of honors. Like them, regardless of the “storms or regimens” that life throws at me, I want to stand guard and keep watch over the Faith I have in the One who gave it all for me.

My 28 Thanks:

1. I can fight the good fight of Faith.

2. Soldiers who are a perfect example of respect and honor.

3. The ones who fight on my behalf for the freedom I so enjoy.

4. Those whose names are known only by God.

5. The weather was amazing today.

6. My niece Abby came over to play this morning. She is so cute and sweet.

7. My mother-in-law got some answers from the doctor today. She is on the road to wellness.

8. Gary, Judah, and I had a fun day running errands.

9. 40% off coupons at Hobby Lobby.

10. Judah is starting to use his manners without us having to remind him.

11. I took a walk by myself this morning.

12. I can talk to the Lord.

13. He listens to me.

14. Gary and I shared a powerful conversation today about our life.

15. Judah has amazing eye sight. He can see things that are really far away.

16. My brother waited on me at his office so I could get an adjustment.

17. I have wanted an “I Love Oklahoma” shirt since they became so popular after the tornado. I finally got one today and it is AWESOME. I do love Oklahoma.

18. Pastor Tim and family came to OKC so Karissa could be honored tonight at the crowning celebration. It was so good to see them all.

19. Five of our girls were crowned honor stars tonight.

20. They looked beautiful in their white dresses. Thankful for moms and dads who invest in their kids.

21. I have an awesome team of ladies who help these girls achieve such big goals.

22. John Stimson can make the most boring moments of a ceremony funny!

23. Judah was amazing in the 2 hour ceremony.

24. Holly is getting a sectional couch. She has wanted one forever. So so so glad it is finally happening.

25. Hemispheres is now open in Moore. I haven’t purchased anything yet, but I love to look.

26. We sat on the floor tonight, ate Chinese together, and played a fishing game.

27. My dad won 3rd place today in a Crossfit tournament in Dallas. He was the OLDEST competitior. Yep…my dad is pretty cool.

28. Bedtime Stories with the family. Judah has a new favorite book called “Where do Diggers Sleep at Night?” Have you ever thought about where bull-dozers lay their head at night?