Uppermost in my spirit and memory always remains the shadow of the Vietnam War, which changed the trajectory of my life. My own severe wounds caused significant bodily and emotional wounds, but I lived and healed from double leg amputations and severe PTSD only by the grace and mercy of God. However, 20 classmates of my West Point class of 1963, which had 504 graduates, returned in caskets.
Several days ago I rejoiced in hearing that both granddaughters of dear and long-term friends were safe at a Texas Kerr County summer camp. Then despair gripped me this morning! Tears fell onto my cheeks as Linda related the sadness of a family related to one of her closest friends. Her friend's sister-in-law was vacationing on the Guadelupe River with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. The family was caught in the flooding. The sister-in-law has not been recovered. The son-in-law was recovered as well as the two sisters, who were recovered HOLDING EACH OTHER'S HANDS!
Even with just my limited reading the past few days I have been struck with reports of the catastrophes worldwide: earthquakes in Japan, flooding in China, dust storms in Las Vegas, hurricane in South Carolina, widespread flooding from torrential downpours in the Texas Hill Country. Deaths and injuries abound. The world can be a very dangerous place. Casualties were reported in most of these situations. It was a time to live and a time to die.
As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, because He died for me on the cross close to 2000 years ago, I do not fear physical death itself. I believe I will live in eternity as promised by the faith message I trust to be true. I believe in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When wounded in Vietnam at a Special Forces camp on June 17, 1967, I was spared death by the grace and mercy of God. It was my time still to live and not die. At age 25 my spiritual belief and commitment probably was insufficient to have gone to Heaven then. Through months of rehabilitation I suffered horrendous pain alleviated by morphine shots. The years of emotional pain with pills alleviated some of the emotional wounds and discontent. However, only a walk of Christian faith brought me peace and contentment. If a reader of this writing does not know for sure whether upon death one is assured of Heaven as final residence, then a choice is necessary. Time to take inventory.
Recruits in basic traing are awakened very loudly by their drill sergeants banging on various devices. The recruits are immediately awakened. Many in the world need to be awakened, not out of fear, but, out of the peace that comes with a solid and sincere recognition that a life with an all-loving God as life's leader (balanced with the recognition of His judgment) prepares us each day to live a life of joy and peace. We are then ready for what time brings us!
