Noticing a Soldier
by Linda Davis
I was eating lunch with a friend during the break at the Doable Evangelism seminar in San Jose when I noticed a young family at a nearby table. The mom looked like she was Native American. The dad was dressed in camouflage fatigues and their son was a toddler.
I kept eating as I prayed (behind their backs!) that God would bless the young family with abundant love, and protect them. After I finished eating I looked at their table again and noticed that only the mom was sitting there. I assumed that dad and son had gone to the restroom. When I walked outside I was surprised to see dad and son stretching their legs. Dad was chatting with another guy in his age group. I overheard dad say, “…to Afghanistan.” Just then I saw the son start running toward the parking lot. I was closer to him than dad was, so I stepped between him and his destination and said, “Your dad needs you,” as I pointed him back toward his dad.
A day later I heard on the news that one of our National Guard groups was going to Afghanistan. Somehow I feel a bit connected to them.
May 23rd, 2009 · 2 Comments
Categories: OA Stories
Steve said
am June 3 2009 @ 3:55 pm
Well Done Linda.
Everytime I see a soldier, or hear of someone who’s joined, I walk over, or try to let them know, in no uncertain terms how deeply their service is appreciated, as well as pray that God’s Grace will bring them home again to their loved ones.
War is painful enough without leaving people such as they feeling all the more isolated, and unappreciated.
While I personally never served, my family has had at least one of it’s members serve in every single generation since the Civil War, if not earlier. I may hever learned the official manner of a salute, but I salute, in my heart, if not by gesture, all those who’ve given up their freedoms so I, and others can celebrate, and enjoy ours.
Rhonda Lenon said
am June 3 2009 @ 7:41 pm
As a mom of a young man who just enlisted in the Army — currently at Fort Benning, GA training to be a US soldier, Airborne — I’m blessed to read that there are some “doable” evangelism people out there praying for our military men and women.
I want to say thank you for praying “behind backs” for our soldiers. It means so much to us personally knowing that there just might be a “doable” evangelism person out there praying. My son (Matthew) has asked for prayers to stay healthy and says that he misses home and being with his church family. He graduates on August 7th, then is on to Airborne school. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.