Lest We Forget.

Today is ANZAC day, the day when life stops and collectively as a nation we look back and remember and honour all those who have fought for Australia and New Zealand. As the daughter of both an Aussie and a Kiwi, I feel this day has a special significance, the coming together of our two nations. I heard it said, where pavlova divides us, ANZAC day brings us back together.

This morning due to the social distancing restrictions we were unable to attend our annual march (the first we have missed in 16 years of living here 😭). So instead, we lined our streets listening to a broadcasted service one of our neighbours was playing on loud speaker and then at 6am we all stood with candles for the last post and minute silence. It was one of the most special and most reverent mornings have ever been apart of! Every house on my street had at least one representative, and sure, there were plenty of dressing gowns and slippers, but there was respect and love. No one was doing it out of duress and there was absolutely nothing anyone could gain from it, but everyone got up and stood in solidarity and honour of those who had sacrificed everything.

Thinking back on it all, I hope this becomes a tradition. As a nation we are all too quick to forget the past and the sacrifices which have been made. One thing I think is really special and cool about the Jews, are all their feasts of remembrance. The effort they go to every year to remember what God has done and how He had saved them is pretty amazing. I believe there definetly is wisdom in that and it’s something I hope we can incorporate more into our lives. Even if we don’t hold massive feasts to remember, I pray we can remember not only in our hearts what God has done. Not only what He has done in times gone by, but also what He has done for us personally. It is so encouraging to dwell on the blessings of God especially in times of trouble like this COVID-19.

I pray as we come out of these times of reflection, Easter and ANZAC day, we are able to dwell on the significance and not just pulled along by the motions of it. I pray that we can take encouragement from this remembrance and that it will strengthen us going forward.

♡