All Quiet on the Western Front?

From the field of Gettysburg to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive-Pearl Harbor to Normandy Beach-The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge to the Fall of Saigon. Are we quiet on OUR western front? Will we continue fighting in needless trench warfares?

Mixed races, religions, and speeches of oneness ~we should be unified. All is not quiet on the western front. Our humanity easily slips into the smoke of the bbq grill. Rather than remember, we rejoice in the gift of time. The gift a multitude have lost. Our enemies (were) are young humans with hearts and souls. Both sides killing one another; trembling hands and heavy hearts. A bloody coat holds the picture of a wife or husband, son or daughter, a beloved pet, and a letter from a Mother.

All quiet on the Western Front? Who will decorate the graves when a generation is gone?

Do we know sacrifice? As I sit in my comfortable home, with the freedom to go, do, and be, I can’t help but remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for me. God, break my heart for what breaks yours. Greed. Power. Control.

All quiet on the Western Front? Shallow graves to shallow thinking, bloody hands to broken spirits, battles of belonging to winning wars in our hearts and minds. Defending our opinions rather than extending a hand of fellowship. Do we SEE one another as…humans? Will we honor? Or will we just forget? I’ll visit the graves of those I love, and pay respect for those I’ve never met.

I’ll never forget.

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” Abraham Lincoln (Gettysburg Address)

“Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came…Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this might scourge of war of may speedily pass away.” (Abraham Lincoln-Second Inaugural Address)

“I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell.”

William Tecumseh Sherman

“It is well that war is terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.”

Robert E. Lee

“Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

“All wars are civil wars, because all men are brother.”

Francois Fenelon

“The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.”

Thomas Jefferson

“There will be one day spring from the brain of science a machine or force so fearful in it’s potentialities, so absolutely terrifying, that even man, the fighter, who will dare torture and death in order to inflict torture and death, will be appalled, and so abandon war forever.”

Thomas A. Edison

“You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.”

Albert Einstein

“There was never a good war, or bad peace.”

Benjamin Franklin

“I have never advocated war except as a means of peace.”

Ulysses S. Grant

“Don’t forget what I discovered that over ninety percent of all national deficits from 1921 to 1939 were caused by payments for past, present, and future wars.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

“In modern war…you will die like a dog for no good reason.”

Ernest Hemingway

“In war, you win or lose, live or die-and the difference is just an eyelash.”

Douglas MacArthur

“What is human warfare but just this: an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party.”

Henry David Thoreau

“Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Do you know the ultimate sacrifice made for YOU? You are loved.

Two different views, two times, two sons serving. Thank you Jarrod & Jay.

Have faith 💚


©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.

Stay True to Your Roots Part 1

My original piece, “Stay True to Your Roots” was created after having a “winning” weekend with my health. For the first time, in a long time, I was “out and about” enjoying things I used to do (besides hiking ;-). I’m cautious, careful, and staying close to the “roots” of safety; yet, it’s been fun to “branch” out and enjoy the world around me. I couldn’t help but write about something that bowled me over this morning. Just like last night’s BIG game, my writing went into overtime. My piece is now two parts! I hope you enjoy part 1 of “Stay True to Your Roots!”

If you haven’t heard, there was a big game last night. I’d call it Super! As a Missouri girl, true to her roots, I had to “root” for the K.C. Chiefs. But I’m a sucker for underdogs! Always.

Can you imagine my utter delight when the first commercial at last night’s game was “He Gets Us”? Tears of happiness fell. Not only have I completed several devotions on YouVersion from the organization, “He Gets Us”, but have a hat and t-shirt that depict that message from my MVP, Jesus. It was the same feeling I had when I saw their ad behind home plate watching the St. Louis Cardinals. Hats off to “He Gets Us!”

Humility is so beautiful. Love wins.

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘

Matthew 22:37-39

Don’t we SEE? Can’t we get it? Are we rooting for love? Do we know our neighbors? Are we cheering each other on? How deep are our roots of love?

My stats aren’t perfect. I’ve fumbled (and still do!). I’ve intercepted. I’ve been injured. I’ve broken rules and tried to be so rigid following them, that I was tackled. Perfect might win a few plays. Meaningful motives and proactive progression will gain yards. Godly grit wins.

Jesus was an underdog. He shocked people with his upside-down message. He knew exactly how to punt or which play would be best “received”. Some might call dying on a cross a MAJOR loss. Yet, in a dramatic 3 day overtime, he WON. It was finished.

My roots run deep. I’m an Ozarks girl. For me, it’s not about religion, rules, and my name on a roster of a building. But about using my hands, feet, and heart to satisfy the game plan of my coach. And since I’m still from Missouri, I might say, “Go Chiefs!” The Chiefs Kingdom is fun; don’t get me wrong…but the Kingdom for which I’m rooting for will last for eternity! What a dynasty!

Pic by K.L. Hale (2/12/24)

Have faith 💚

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”-Abraham Lincoln (Happy birthday-Feb. 12th, 1809)


©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.

Never Forget



One Fall Day

In 4 days it will have been 20 years since the tragedy of 9/11. Over the weekend I watched several documentaries. Remembering what we were doing on that day is something I’m sure we all share in common. Many of you are old enough to remember other tragedies; some of you too young to remember the impact of this one. There’s a sense of guilt I feel that I became absorbed in watching these personal interviews of survivors. To all of the victims and their families, my heart still bleeds for your loss. The aftershock and waves of sorrow that still impacts these victims are indescribable. So many died as heroes. And many heroes still live.

I was only 31 and responsible for leading a primary school. One teacher had a husband working at the Pentagon. Several parents had pilot spouses. Parents were coming in droves to pick up their children (including the preschool we had about 550 students). That night, probably like you, I couldn’t wrap my head around the attacks. But I hugged my boys very tight as I was glued to my T.V. Praying to God for leadership direction in the aftershocks. The fall of the towers and the vulnerability felt led to major personal changes. How did your life change?

My space here is not to create political or religious division. The poem I wrote below this past Saturday was not born from anything but love. For in the end that’s all that matters. Love.


One Fall Day

Religion became hate
and violence their norm.
The Cold War had ended,
new terrorists formed.

The West gripped their greed
and lived life based on things,
an enemy was planning
their terror using wings.

We all watched in horror
as the towers burned and fell.
We were stricken with grief.
It was a living hell.

Sisters, brothers,
husbands, wives,
Mothers, Fathers,
So many lives.

The shock of the loss
and the vulnerability felt,
made us close to our maker,
on knees we all knelt.

My tears wouldn't stop.
I hugged my sons so tight.
In my own tiny world,
that's all that felt right. 

Borders are created
by skin and beliefs,
religion, and politics,
is there any relief?

Terrorism since then
has been even homegrown.
Attacks on each other,
some alone and unknown.

Our weapons of choice
can be held in our hands.
In a text, hug, or wave
we declare our own lands.

Don't forget the days
that our innocent have died.
Turn your trust to God,
it's the only right side. 


K.L. Hale 

I’m taking a two week heavenly hiatus to spend time with family. May peace, health, and happiness find its way to your hearts.🤍 As it is written it’s all going as planned. But there’s hope in each day if we all extend a hand. Find the joy in the right now. And give hope and a hug to those who don’t know how.

Have faith 💚

Photo credit-9/11memorial.org