Month: May 2026

Memorial Day: Reflecting on the Cost of Freedom

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

(photo of Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola)

Memorial Day is more than a Monday holiday bookended by backyard cookouts and summer travel. It is a sacred summons that encourages us to stop long enough to ask, “What did our freedom cost?” and “Who paid the price?”

Freedom is among the most beloved words in the American vocabulary. We speak of it freely, sing about it proudly, and assume it instinctively. But freedom has never been free. It has always been purchased at great cost, with courage, with sacrifice, and with blood. The men and women memorialized on this day knew that cost intimately, and they paid it anyway.

In a culture addicted to comfort and allergic to cost, we need Memorial Day more than ever. Not merely as a ceremony, but as a confrontation, a kind of holy interruption that calls us back to what truly matters. As President Calvin Coolidge once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”

This Memorial Day, consider these reflections on the price of freedom:

  • Freedom was secured by ordinary people who did extraordinary things.  We tend to mythologize our heroes, polishing their stories until they gleam. But most of those who gave their lives were not statues or monuments. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, neighbors and friends who chose duty over self. In the struggle to preserve and protect our freedom, ordinary men and women rose to stand in the gap. We owe them our remembrance.
  • The cost of freedom is written in Scripture as well as in history.  The ancient world understood that great things are purchased at great cost. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the servant who would be “wounded for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). The Apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, urged believers to stand firm in “the freedom with which Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1), knowing that such freedom was not theoretical—it was paid for. Whether the arena is spiritual or civic, freedom requires a sacrifice.
  • Gratitude is the only worthy response to sacrifice.  John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”  Wearing a flag pin or posting a patriotic meme is easy. But genuine gratitude is more demanding. It asks us to live with integrity, to vote with conscience, to serve our communities, and to refuse to squander what others died to give us. Gratitude, rightly practiced, is not just a feeling. Rather, it is a discipline.
  • Grief and honor belong together on this day.  For thousands of Gold Star families, Memorial Day is not a celebration, but an anniversary of loss. An empty chair at the dinner table. A folded flag on the mantel. A name etched in marble. We honor them best not by turning away from that grief but by standing in it with them. The Psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants” (Psalm 116:15). What is precious to God should not be passed over lightly by us.
  • The next generation must learn the cost or will never know the value.  Ronald Reagan warned with prophetic clarity: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”  Our children will not inherit a passion for freedom by accident. They will inherit it from us or they will not inherit it at all. Take them to a veterans’ cemetery. Read them the letters of soldiers who wrote home from the front. Tell the stories. Sing the hymns. Show them that some things are worth dying for, precisely because they are worth living for.

There is an old hymn of the faith that begins, “When I survey the wondrous cross.” Isaac Watts understood that remembering a sacrifice—truly beholding its cost—changes the one who remembers. This Memorial Day, may we survey what has been given on our behalf. May it humble us. May it move us. May it change us.

This Memorial Day, let us do more than enjoy a 3-day weekend. Let us pause at a grave marker. Let us speak the names. Let us teach our children that the flag flying over their school and their town square was purchased by men and women who chose to stand between danger and those they loved. Let us recommit ourselves to a life lived in appreciation for that gift.

Freedom is not free. But it is ours. May we never take it for granted.

(Barry Howard is a retired pastor who currently serves as a leadership coach and consultant with the Center for Healthy Churches. He and his wife reside on Cove Lake in northeast Alabama.)

Life Lessons for Graduates: 12 Travel Tips for the Journey Ahead

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

Graduation season is always emotional. Caps and gowns fill auditoriums. Proud parents wipe away tears. Grandparents beam with pride. Students celebrate years of hard work while simultaneously wondering what comes next.

High school graduation is both an ending and a beginning. One chapter closes while another unfolds. For many graduates, the future feels exciting, uncertain, intimidating, and hopeful all at the same time.

I think some of the best counsel for this season of life comes from from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Those verses remind us that life is not navigated merely through intelligence, ambition, or talent. Life is best navigated through trust in God’s guidance.

With that in mind, here are twelve pieces of spiritual advice I would offer to every high school graduate.

1. Trust the Lord in all seasons.

Trust God not only during victories, but also during disappointments and uncertainty.

Life will not always unfold according to your plans. Dreams may shift. Doors may close. Unexpected detours will arise. But faith means believing that God still walks beside us even when the road becomes difficult.

As Corrie ten Boom wisely said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Sometimes God’s greatest work happens in seasons we never would have chosen for ourselves.

2. Ask honest questions.

Healthy faith is not afraid of honest questions.

Throughout Scripture, faithful people wrestled with uncertainty. Moses questioned God. David poured out doubts in the Psalms. Thomas asked for evidence after the resurrection.

Questions are not signs of weak faith; they are often pathways toward deeper faith.

James 1:5 reminds us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”

Never stop seeking truth, wisdom, and understanding.

3. Learn to be at home in your own skin.

One of the greatest challenges facing young adults today is comparison.

Social media constantly pressures people to measure themselves against curated versions of other people’s lives. But God did not create you to become a copy of someone else.

Psalm 139 says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Brené Brown advises, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”

Learn to embrace the person God created you to be.

4. Never waste a mistake.

You are going to make mistakes. Everyone does. The important thing is not whether you fail, but whether you learn and grow from failure.

The Apostle Peter denied Jesus, yet grace restored him and transformed him into a leader of the early church.

Mistakes can become classrooms of wisdom if we allow them to teach us.

5. Invest wisely and focus on treasures that do not have an account number.

Learn financial responsibility early in life. Save wisely. Avoid unnecessary debt. Practice generosity.

But also remember that the greatest treasures in life are not material possessions.

Integrity. Friendships. Faith. Love. Compassion. Character.

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:20: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Some of the most valuable things in life cannot be purchased.

6. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone.

Growth rarely happens in comfortable places.

Abraham had to leave home.
Peter had to step out of the boat.
Esther had to risk speaking up.

You may feel nervous about college, a new career, or unfamiliar opportunities. That’s normal. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is moving forward despite fear.

C. S. Lewis observed, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Do not let fear shrink your future.

7. Be proactive in caring for your physical and mental health.

Your physical and emotional well-being matter.

Get enough rest. Exercise regularly. Talk honestly about your struggles. Seek help when you need it.

There is strength—not weakness—in reaching out for support.

In a culture where many people feel exhausted, anxious, and isolated, self-care is not selfishness; it is stewardship.

8. Stay connected to a spiritual community.

Faith is not meant to be lived alone. Wherever life takes you, stay connected to a church family and surround yourself with spiritually healthy influences.

Hebrews 10:25 encourages believers not to neglect gathering together.

A coal separated from the fire eventually grows cold. Community helps sustain faith during difficult seasons.

9. Don’t let the labels others attach define you.

People may underestimate you, criticize you, or attempt to define you by your failures.

But labels do not determine identity.

David was labeled “just a shepherd.” Zacchaeus was labeled “a sinner.” Mary Magdalene was labeled by her past.

Never allow someone else’s opinion to limit what God can do through your life.

10. Cultivate and nurture friendships intentionally.

The people closest to you will influence your future more than you realize. But meaningful friendships don’t happen by default.

Proverbs 13:20 encourages us to “Walk with the wise and become wise.”

Some friendships inspire growth and wisdom. Others quietly pull people toward destructive choices.

Pay attention to who shapes your values, habits, and priorities.

11. Practice kindness in a harsh world.

We live in an age often marked by outrage and cruelty. Choose kindness anyway.

Be encouraging. Be compassionate. Be willing to listen.

Maya Angelou observed, “People will forget what you said… but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Kindness leaves a lasting imprint on the world.

12. Navigate the turbulence of life with discernment and perseverance.

Life will not always be smooth skies and gentle winds. There will be unexpected storms, emotional turbulence, disappointments, and moments when the future feels uncertain.

In those moments, resist the temptation to panic or make impulsive decisions.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

As author Max Lucado counsels, “You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good.”

There will be seasons when life feels turbulent. Hold steady. Pray carefully. Think wisely. Keep going.

Storms do not last forever, and perseverance often becomes the bridge between where you are and where God is leading you.

As you step into this next chapter of life, you will carry far more than diplomas and transcripts into the future. You will carry values, memories, relationships, faith, and the lessons that shape character.

The road ahead will include both breathtaking mountaintops and unexpected valleys, but do not walk it alone. The same God who guided you through childhood, classrooms, friendships, victories, and disappointments will continue directing your paths.

So dream boldly, love deeply, serve joyfully, and trust God completely.

Planting Seeds: 7 Reasons I Enjoy Having a Vegetable Garden

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

(stock photo)

There is something sacred about stepping into a vegetable garden early in the morning while the dew still clings to the leaves and the soil smells fresh from the night air. A garden is never merely about tomatoes, beans, squash, or cucumbers. It is about hope, patience, stewardship, and joy. Every spring, when seeds disappear beneath the dirt, I am reminded that some of life’s greatest miracles begin unseen.

As English horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll once said, “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness.”

Early in our marriage, we had a vegetable garden almost every year. When I retired from full-time work, I decided to cultivate a spot in the corner of the backyard for small garden. Yes, I realize that I can probably purchase vegetables at the farmers’ market for less than the cost of the seed, the tomato plants, the fertilizer, the tiller, and the time invested. But there is something about cultivating the soil and nurturing the plants that makes life richer.

Here are seven reasons I like to have a vegetable garden:

1. A Garden Reminds Me That Growth Takes Time

We live in a microwave culture that demands instant results, but gardens refuse to cooperate with hurry. You cannot rush a tomato plant or bully green beans into growing faster.

Gardening teaches the spiritual discipline of patience. Seeds germinate underground long before visible evidence appears above the soil. That truth applies to life as well. Character, faith, healing, and wisdom often develop quietly before anyone notices.

Years ago, one of our neighbors once planted watermelons. Every morning, his little boy ran outside expecting giant watermelons overnight. His father simply smiled and said, “God grows watermelons one day at a time.” That may be one of the most profound theological statements I have ever heard. Most of the seeds we plant in life do not grow overnight. They need to be cultivated and nurtured over time.

2. A Garden Keeps Me Connected to Nature

There is something grounding about getting your hands in the dirt. Modern life often disconnects us from the rhythms of creation, but gardening reconnects us with the wonder of the natural world.

Naturalist Thomas Berry advised, “Gardening is an active participation in the deepest mysteries of the universe.”

A vegetable garden becomes a front-row seat to miracles: tiny seeds becoming flourishing plants, blossoms turning into food, bees pollinating flowers, and sunlight transforming into nourishment. Gardening reminds us that creation still sings the glory of God.

3. A Garden Improves My Mental and Emotional Health

Researchers increasingly recognize what gardeners have known for centuries: gardening is good for the soul. Recent studies and therapeutic programs show gardening can reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a sense of peace and accomplishment.

During the pandemic, many people rediscovered gardening as a refuge from anxiety and uncertainty. Seed companies sold out because people longed for something living and hopeful.

One friend told me that after difficult days at work, he walks straight to his garden before entering the house. Pulling weeds and watering plants helps him “leave the stress in the dirt.” I understand exactly what he means.

As author May Sarton observed, “Gardening is an instrument of grace.”

4. A Garden Teaches Responsibility and Stewardship

A neglected garden quickly reveals neglect. Plants need attention, nourishment, watering, and care. Gardens remind us that good things flourish when nurtured consistently.

That lesson extends far beyond vegetables. Marriages, friendships, churches, and communities thrive when people faithfully tend them.

During World War II, millions of Americans planted “Victory Gardens” to supplement food supplies and support their communities. By 1944, home gardeners were producing a significant portion of the nation’s vegetables. The movement demonstrated that ordinary people, working small plots of ground, could collectively make an extraordinary difference.

Sometimes changing the world begins with simply tending what is already in front of you.

5. A Garden Gives Me Healthier Food

There is no greenhouse tomato quite like a home-grown Better Boy picked moments before dinner. Garden vegetables simply taste better because freshness matters.

Gardening also changes your appreciation for food. When you have spent months watering, fertilizing, and protecting a plant, you waste less and give greater thanks for every meal.

Chef David Chang noted that gardening connects us to “math, chemistry, reading, history.” I would add gratitude to that list.

A garden reminds us that food is not manufactured in stores. It is cultivated through labor, weather, patience, and grace.

6. A Garden Creates Memories Across Generations

Some of my fondest memories involve gardens: grandparents shelling peas and shucking corn on the porch, children proudly carrying oversized cantelope into the kitchen, families sharing extra vegetables with neighbors.

Gardens have a remarkable way of bringing generations together. Grandparents pass down wisdom. Children learn responsibility. Families create traditions.

One of our great nephews has autism. He also likes to have a small garden. To anyone else it looks like a minor thing. To him, it is therapeutic joy. Gardens teach children the joy of participating in creation rather than merely consuming it.

7. A Garden Gives Me Hope

Every garden begins with faith. You place seeds into dark soil believing life will emerge. That simple act becomes a yearly reminder that endings are not always endings and barren seasons do not last forever.

Writer Alfred Austin beautifully captured it: “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.”

A vegetable garden quietly preaches resurrection every spring.

Perhaps that is why I keep planting a small garden year after year. Long after the plants are barren and the vines have withered, the garden leaves behind lessons about patience, stewardship, gratitude, community, and hope.

And honestly, there are few things in life more satisfying than eating a tomato sandwich made from a tomato you grew yourself.