My backyard, in my early growing up years, was huge. We actually had the biggest back lot on our whole block.  All the neighborhood kids came to our yard to play.  I remember hide-n-go seek played often and sometimes at dusk, just before we had to go back into our homes.  If you were able to make it back to base without being seen, you could call out, “Olly olly oxen free”  The other hidden friends would come scampering to base and not be “it.”  Such simple fun.  We didn’t give up.  We didn’t surrender.

        Playing board games with our folks on snowy afternoons, or rainy days, we didn’t throw in the cards or give up. No one surrendered, you might be the winner or the loser, but it was just a game.

        Military Code, though not formal military law, does not allow or encourage  surrender unless “all reasonable means of resistance are exhausted and death would be the only alternative.”

        What does God ask of us? We are to look within ourselves and SURRENDER!  Yes, we are to give up. Surrender our lives, our thoughts, our troubles and cares. Once we surrender all of ourselves, we are made free to see our white flag of surrender as a gift.  With God shouldering our burdens, our souls can rest.  Our hearts can be humbled before our gracious Lord, who loves us unconditionally.  He allows us to lean on Him.  Give Him everything.  SURRENDER and He graciously will give you His peace and comfort.

Jill