Homage To, In Remembrance Of

“Let us remember that, as much as has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”–Theodore Roosevelt




The declaration Theodore Roosevelt (26th President 1901-1909) spoke to the United States were good words to listen to. They started with the attention getter of, “let us remember!” Following his opening phrase came more to think about. He wanted the American people to remember the fact much was given them and much will be expected from them.


Next the President would give them the reason behind it all. The why of why he told them they needed to remember. It was because, as he said, ‘true homage comes from the heart as well as the lips and it shows itself in deeds.’


For being the youngest President up until then he really knew what he was talking about. They are words that not only pertain to us as citizens of America or wherever we live but they pertain to us as citizens of Heaven as well. Sad part is we are way too quick to forget and way to selfish to know what true homage is all about.


To pay homage to something means to show it respect, pay tribute to it and to find ways to serve and honor it. It is something that needs to come from our hearts as well as our lips to the point it shows up in our actions.


Too often we overlook what was given to us and we concentrate on what “we don’t have yet.” We think we are entitled to everything but don’t need to return anything. We treat our families, country, church, and God this way. As long as we get what we want that is all that matters. Wrong!


That is why it’s important that, we remember! Over and over again in the Bible we read about how altars were built, wells were given special names all in a process to help them to remember. Remember what? Remember what was done for them. The cross along side the road is there to remember the one who died there. The picture on the wall is there to remember a love one. The special token in a hope chest lies there as a reminder to the story or deed or person from which it came.


What are we doing today to remember what God has done for us and our country? We have kicked Him out of the schools. We’ve outlawed prayer in public places. We’ve taken His name out of Christmas. We want the words, “In God we Trust” taken off our currency. We compromise our beliefs in the church in order to bring in more bodies with voices to sing our jazzy songs. It’s almost like we forgot instead of remembered who God is and what He has truly done for us.


The fact that God is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow should give us something to remember. Remembering the reality that God hasn’t changed, we have. The only thing that needed to change over the years is technology not our belief system or values. There is no expiration date on the Bible or God. He deserves our honor and respect and we need to pay homage to Him by the way we live our lives.


Therefore, instead of kicking Him out we need to invite Him in. In to our lives, our country, our homes, our churches and give to Him the glory due His name. As another famous president once said, “It’s not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country.” It would serve our country and God well if we would teach our younger generation this forgotten trait and dying deed on how to pay homage to both their country as well as God.


In God we trust. As for as me and my household, we will serve the Lord!


Happy Thanksgiving




I heard on the news this morning people arguing over the fact that we don’t know if the pilgrims ate turkey on Thanksgiving or not. Who cares what they ate? Thanksgiving wasn’t for the purpose of the main menu but for the giving of thanks for the harvest and for what God had given them. It doesn’t matter if they ate tacos, noodle casserole, roast beef, or salmon. How utterly ridiculous this political correct garbage has gotten. Talk about paying homage to our country it would do us well to pay homage by allowing us to be ruled by values instead of what someone thinks is “politically correct.”

© 2011 Karen J Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing