God, do I ever need you! I pray that you guard my tongue, cleanse my soul, and kill my pride. I seek silence, peace, and humility at a time where I’m getting worn down by my personal devil, the one that gets so alluring and cozy that he hitches a ride and bullies me to carry him around like a brand new backpack. He’s awfully heavy because he latches on to my strengths and makes them weaker, yet I adjust the straps and make it more comfortable, so he lingers because I get better at hanging out with him.
With just a few hours left of this long weekend of gratitude highlighting Thanksgiving 2017, I give thanks to you and yours who have been a part of my life yesterday, today, and will still be here tomorrow. Above all else, I’m grateful for God’s design of humanity, and giving me so many glorious choices of people to connect with.
Frank T. Snyder, my father, was a man who valued family and brotherhood, and it’s no wonder, since he was the baby of nine boys.
Frank T. Snyder – Army 1952
Their father, Janko Petrovich, immigrated from Croatia to America as a young man who wanted to give his family the streets of diamonds Eastern Europeans (and many others) were promised. My grandfather was advised on his boat ride over to Americanize his richly ethnic, beautiful name for his family’s future in this country, so he entered America as John Snyder.
A changed name didn’t change the Snyder boys’ merit, contributions, or devotions to community, country, and church. As young men, all nine extended their band of brotherhood patriotically by serving their country in all four military branches.
In fact, several of the Snyders served in different branches at the same time during WWII. This was an extremely unusual circumstance, since there had been an unwritten embargo placed by the government that prohibited more than a few brothers to be in the service during war times. Somehow, they got through this protective red tape and bravely served simultaneously; thankfully, all returned home safely and honorably.
My father was stationed with the Army in England at the tail end of the Korean War. Thank you to everyone who has, does, and will serve our country with loyalty, dedication, and patriotism.
God, do I ever need you! I pray that you guard my tongue, cleanse my soul, and kill my pride. I seek silence, peace, and humility at a time where I’m getting worn down by my personal devil, the one that gets so alluring and cozy that he hitches a ride and bullies me to carry him around like a brand new backpack. He’s awfully heavy because he latches on to my strengths and makes them weaker, yet I adjust the straps and make it more comfortable, so he lingers because I get better at hanging out with him.
