G.K. Chesterton said that gratitude is the queen of the virtues. Today of all days we should remember the debt we owe to those who sacrificed their lives for a good that we enjoy. And it should encourage us to live for the good of future generations ourselves. 

In his classic book The Crisis of Our Age, sociologist Pitirim A. Sorokin described the difference between societies in decline and flourishing societies. A major factor, he said, was if people were living for immediate gratification or ordering their lives around higher ideals that drove them to build for the future. 

Out-of-control national and personal debt is evidence we struggle to live for the future. So is the decline of the family.  

Remembering the sacrifice of others on our behalf can restore our vision. So, amidst the cookouts and activities of this Memorial Day, take a minute to remember and be thankful. 

For the Colson Center, I’m John Stonestreet.  

This Point was first released on 5.31.21.