November 7, 2011
Christ United Methodist Ministry Center
“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”
3295 Meade Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 284-9205
Pastorgraphs: “How Fortunate”
Most Sunday nights I go to bed with one haunting question on my mind, “What shall I write about in the morning?” I confess, the temptation to skip a week is often strong. But it is an important discipline to start the week by collecting my thoughts, as feeble as they often are, and putting them into words. Sometimes I am surprised at what emerges from the click clack of my keyboard once I get the thoughts to flowing.
After watching “60 Minutes” last night, it was a bit easier (as it often is.) By the way, I will miss Andy Rooney!
The story in last night’s show regarding soldiers who go back to Iraq for inner healing touched me. It brought tears to my eyes to hear how some of our service men and women felt guilty that they lost a limb, or two, and came home while their “brothers” stayed to finish the battle. In their minds, they had failed. In my mind, they are heroes of the highest order. But I understand their desire to find closure to the physical and mental scars they experienced. Especially the ones who stepped on an hidden explosive device and woke up at Walter Reed Hospital. They missed their “formal exit”. Some are returning now to recover that missing link in hopes it will bring healing. God bless them all!
Speaking of Andy Rooney, he confessed to being a pacifist until he was drafted and witnessed first-hand the atrocities of the Nazis. Then he accepted that some wars need to be fought.
On Friday (11-11-11) we celebrate Veterans Day. For most, it will be a day just to stay home from work, shop, or sleep in. But I invite us all this Friday to appreciate how fortunate we are to have brave young men and women who answer the call to defend truth and justice in a hostile world. None come home unchanged. Many come home unappreciated. Forgive us for that ingratitude.
The Bible speaks of the day when mankind will beat their swords into plowshares. Hasten that day, O Lord! But until then, as long as evil exploits the weak and the powerful oppress the poor, thank God for those who stand on the front lines of the battle.
Veterans Day is rightly placed just before Thanksgiving; for until we realize how fortunate we are, we never fully express our Thank-full-ness.
Well done, good and faithful soldiers.
Devotedly,
Parson Bill
From the Quote Garden
“In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.”
~ Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935
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