Live The Golden Rule

When I was a child, I learned about something called "The Golden Rule", and this was before I even knew it was in the Bible. I remember my mother sharing that we should "do unto others as we would have them do unto us". That and a quote of John 3:16 were like the only times I ever heard the adults in my life speak in "King James, which only added to the notion that this must be something special. Of course, a child can't fully understand what this means, and I remember easily confusing it with what was in my head: "Do unto others as they have done unto you". It sounds almost identical, yet it couldn't be more of a contrast to the true Golden Rule spoken by Jesus. Our attitude and goal should be to treat others as we would like to be treated, regardless of how we are actually treated! I can think of no better example in our lives than our fallen men and women who have given their last full measure of devotion so that we can be free and stay free. Many of them, especially going back to the Vietnam War and prior to that, were not treated well by their country and people. Yet, they served anyway, and when called to sacrifice, they demonstrated what Jesus says is the greatest love there is. This Memorial Day weekend at Friendship, we will honor and remember their sacrifice, then discuss what it means for us to "Live the Golden Rule" in how we treat those around us. May we learn from their sacrifice, and from the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, and may we stand ready to lay down our lives in love for those around us.