As we’re honoring our country’s heroes this weekend, I am dedicating this edition of the Weekend Word to our nation’s veterans. In trying to think of what word would be best to mark this occasion, I came up with the obvious – veterans, war, heroes, etc. But then it hit me… there’s an overarching theme to all of these words. At the root of all conflict is a challenge. So without further ado, let’s explore Challenge in this week’s Weekend Word.
chal·lenge
ˈCHalənj/
noun
1. a call to take part in a contest or competition, especially a duel.
2. an objection or query as to the truth of something, often with an implicit demand for.
verb
1. invite (someone) to engage in a contest.
2. dispute the truth or validity of.
Our military fights each and every day to rid the world of evildoers because they challenge their false truths such as when Hitler believed the best race was the Aryan race, or Osama Bin Laden believed that the best way to protect the world was to get rid of Western culture. Our military challenges these false truths and fights each day to keep the evildoers at bay, and our country safe. Some of them have come home with battle wounds and scarred memories, and others paid the ultimate price. All of these veterans fought to protect our lives and our freedom. They do this because they believe in the possibility of creating a better, more peaceful world.
Our veterans take on the ultimate challenge, putting their lives on the line to fight and protect our country, and our ability to face our own daily challenges. While their challenge is abroad, our challenge is at home. While they fight the wars against evil, we are left free to tackle other challenges such as poverty, education, homelessness, disease, etc. I am thankful for their selfless courage so that I am not only safe at home, but can continue to fight for our children in Uganda. To help them challenge themselves in order to make a better tomorrow by lifting them from poverty to prosperity.
If our military can take on the challenges of war, we too can take on whatever challenges we face. And let us both be victorious in facing these many challenges so that the world can one day be at peace. Challenge accepted.
With Gratitude,
Cristen
