Tampa's Military Community Gives Me Hope

***A special thanks to Derek Maul, friend and writer for the Tampa Tribune and to the Tampa Tribune for allowing a reprint.***

Tampa's military community gives me hope
- DEREK MAUL

(The Tampa Tribune, Jan 2, 2008.)


I'm not big into New Year's resolutions; I'm interested in more
substantive change than that. But one thing I have resolved is to let
people know how much their contributions are appreciated. We live in a world top-heavy with complaining, and I suspect such a tone is bringing us all down.

So I'm not that surprised that I've been writing more about our armed service personnel lately. The faithful work of Tampa's military community has been cropping up both in my reporting and my commentary.

It's not surprising considering the immensity and the scope of the current world conflict. There's not a reader within reach of the Tribune who can't identify some aspect of their life that interfaces in some level with the military or those who serve.

Like it or not, we live in a world fraught with fear, hostility, and institutionalized hate; and, foreign policy fans or not, we owe our lives and our liberty to the faithful service of those who wear the uniforms.

So I'm proud to report that, this week, their ranks will be swelled by one more good American who believes in freedom, loves his family, and is willing to put his life on the line to defend the Constitution. My son-in-law, Craig Campbell, is heading to Rhode Island for Officer
Candidates School. In 13 weeks, if all goes according to plan, he'll be commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.

Rhode Island; January; I understand it's lovely this time of the year. But my so-in-law's a meteorologist, so it's not like he's doesn't know what he's getting in to. Plus he grew up in Connecticut, so he's well aware of why Florida is so popular December through March.

Craig believes he's ready; he's been doing the push-ups, the sit-ups, and the running. But more importantly he's a hard worker and conscientious with it; he knows what commitment means, and he's not afraid to do what's necessary to see something through.

But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to some concerns, some cautions, and some reservations. Craig's motivation is pure, and he is entering a military culture that values the principles that gave birth to freedom; ideals the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast-Guard
have sworn to defend. But the political will that wields such power is frequently more cynical, and often far less motivated by what is right. I have never held to the nonsense that government in a time of war is to be kowtowed and unquestioned. In fact any time American
lives are at stake is a good time to look for explanations that make sense.

Bottom line, my immediate family has entered the line of fire. And, while I'm no slouch when it comes to either prayer or politics, it's no exaggeration to say that I plan to redouble both my conversations with God and my due diligence in the coming months and years.

I have the good fortune to enjoy meaningful friendships with several officers, including more than one active general, so here around Tampa I see a lot that gives me confidence and hope.

I asked how their roles as professional soldiers in armed conflict could reconcile with personal Christian faith. They told me in no uncertain terms that the presence of believers in the military community is critical if we want to engage conflict as if the Constitution of the United States and the Geneva Convention really are working documents that mean something.

In other words, if there's any time that the foundational ideals of these United States come into clear focus it's in the context of stress, pressure, conflict, and tough choices. Or, maybe even closer to the truth, genuine faith is the only context where this freedom stuff really works in practice.

Because if we don't believe that, "All [people] are created equal", and that "They are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights…" - and that includes our enemies – then the whole thing comes down like a house of cards.

I'd like to think that everything we do as a nation is predicated on those fundamental premises. I'd like to think that's why my son-in-law, Craig, has signed up to serve.

Torn Pants

I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. – Ezekiel 34:26

Everybody has something they hate to turn loose of – just got to hold on tight. For some it may be an old car or an old chair. Many of our children are attached to a blanket, a pacifier, or a special toy. The fact is, all of us have white knuckles over something.

Me. Well…..it’s this completely worn out pair of lounging pants. First of all, I love the color – they’re purple plaid, and though plaid is not my favorite, I can live with it because they’re shades of purple. Secondly, they’re way too big. Slouchy is probably the best word for them. Ooh, they are so soft and comfy that it doesn’t matter if I spend my time hiking them up around my waist. I love them.

I pulled them out of the laundry and as I folded them, I noticed a tear – a big three-inch long tear at the knee. Needless to say I was mortified. However, being a “clinger,” I folded them neatly and put them away, pulling them out regularly to wear. Each day I wore them, I noticed the hole becoming a long tear. Recently, I slipped them on and the leg became two separate pieces. I know -- it’s sad. But I love my lounge pants. They fit with that special sort of comfort.

I plopped down in the recliner, kicked up my feet and heard this distinct riipppp. “Ah man. No way.” I whined. My husband laughed then rolled his eyes. He’s been waiting for me to throw them away for sometime. I found myself pulling the edges of the tear together in an attempt to pretend they would magically meld together. To my dismay, that didn’t happen.

Grabbing my floppers, I slipped my feet in and headed out the door to get the newspaper. The wind was howling outside and the one leg of my lounge pants flapped freely like a flag on the mast of a pirate ship. My leg quickly turned cold and I tried frantically to grab the flapping material. That’s when it occurred to me. Why in heavens name do I insist on hanging on to old things that are non-repairable?

How often do we grasp hold of things from our past and cling to it as though there is no tomorrow? There are new things to sink our teeth into.

I asked the Father, as I struggled to hold my lounge pants together, “Why do we do this God?”

He laughed out loud then shook His head. “You tell me. I offer you so much more. Hope, love, peace, forgiveness, yet you insist on hanging on the one thing that causes you the most pain.”

“The pants are comfortable.”

“Yeah, right! I can tell.” He motioned the wind to blow and yank the material from my fingers. “That’s comfortable, heh?”

“Oh, now You’re just showing off.”

“No, I’m making a point. Throw away the old things that are torn and tattered and let me fill you with new things. All that ‘junk’ that hides deep in your soul – trash it.”

I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure if I could give up my purple lounge pants. But the Father was right. How comfortable are you when you’re chasing wild material?

“Okay, so I give up the lounge pants. What then?”

God stopped the wind and my leg grew warmer. “Oh. I see.” I said.

He smiled and then did the most amazing thing. He filled me with blessings. My heart danced with excitement as I felt the multitude of abundance He heaped upon me. My friends, my family, good fortune, dreams come true and all for the price of a pair of torn lounge pants. (You realize it’s really NOT about the pants!)

The Father brushed past me as I stepped onto the porch. “I want you joyous and happy. I want to bless you from the inside out. But when you are filled with old and torn items, there’s no room. You have to throw the junk away – finish the tasks you’ve begun so I can bless them.”

I took off my lounge pants when I got in the house. Wadded them into a ball and tossed them in the trash. Sure, they were comfortable, soft – what I knew best. But I liked this feeling of blessing and abundance. It was time to throw out the old. Resolve, so to speak. The new lounge pants are a little stiff, but they’ll soften with time. And they do fit much better. No more hiking them at the waist. My legs are warm. There’s real benefits to having new ones.

The Father joined me in the living room this morning. He kicked His feet up on the recliner, leaned back. “Feels good to have new hope, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed it does.”

“Fit okay?”

“Yep.”

The Father smiled. “Imagine that. And it only cost you the old. Not a bad trade, I’d think.”

“No Sir. It wasn’t. Wish I’d have thrown them away years ago.”

The moral of this story is simple. God waits for us to give our troubles and woes to Him. He wants to replace the old with the new. And when He does, He rains blessings from heaven.

Finding Peace

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Ruby paced the hospital corridor. When will this end? The minutes dragged into hours and with every moment that passed her imagination twisted her thoughts.

“Any word yet?” Alice, Ruby’s best friend waved as she came down the hallway.

“Nothing. It was only supposed to be a 40 minute surgery. It’s been three hours. I can’t imagine what has happened. The doctor hasn’t even called to update me.” Tears filled Ruby’s eyes.

Another hour passed before the phone rang at the receptionist desk. “Mrs. Ruby Telford, come to the front desk.”

Ruby made a dash for the receptionist, arriving just as she placed the receiver on the hook. “I’m Ruby Telford. Was that the doctor?”

“Yes it was. He wants you to meet him down the hall in the family room.”

The family room. This can’t be good. Fear filled her heart as she pushed the door open and headed toward the family room. The doctor waited just inside.

“How’s Ace? What’s taking so long?”

The doctor motioned for Ruby to sit down, then he began to tell her the result of the surgery. “The surgery turned up a surprise. There was a tumor next to the appendix. We couldn’t get to the appendix until we removed the tumor. It appears to be benign, but we’ll send it out to be sure. However, the appendix did rupture and there was quite a bit of blood loss. We almost lost him at one point.” The doctor rubbed his hand across his head pushing his surgical cap off. “He should recuperate fine.” Grateful, Ruby lifted her hands toward heaven and thanked God for His peace.

When troubles beseech us it becomes difficult to look past the hardships into a positive approach. Our fears of the unknown take hold of us and build an overwhelming anxiety – one that can physically make us ill.

Jesus told His disciples all the things that would happen to Him. He prepared them as best He could and as best as they could understand. He explained He was giving this information so they would have peace. When we understand the things that are happening around us, we may still fear, but there is a peace about us, which makes things bearable.

When we are able to grasp hold of the truth and embrace it, our trials seem to have less affect on us. It’s the loving peace of Christ that helps us to realize He is the Master and in control of everything. There are still trials and hardships, but we seem to pass through them a bit easier. Through His mighty grace, we are able to overcome. Trust your heart to Christ. Listen when He speaks and He will tell you all you need to know to help you find peace.

Prayer: Oh Lord, You are the Maker of all things. Give us peace and grace to overcome.

Peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

Our lives seem all too complicated. There are days we long for the simple life again. The times when we would visit grandma and everyone would sit on the ground in the front yard under the shade tree talking. Folks would just spend time visiting. The yard was always full of kids playing, and the only real problem most of us had was what team would choose us.
We grew older and somewhere, somehow, things changed dramatically. Though the change didn’t happen overnight, it certainly took its toll before all was said and done. People rarely visit these days and life seems to have become pushy – insisting we put the needs of the world above the needs of the family. Our work schedule lengthens, while family time shrinks and day by day, a little more of that precious commodity called peace, is lost. There are times, we cover our heads with a blanket and dread to crawl out of bed.
The wonderful thing about Christ, is knowing that at anytime all we have to do is close the door, and fall to our knees. There is a difference in praying from a sitting position and praying from a kneeling position and it all begins with humility. When we want to talk to the Father – just chat, sitting is fine. However, when we are in search of peace, seeking God on our knees is displaying humility.
When we want to understand why, or when we wholeheartedly seek the Lord, then we need to drop to our knees. Why? A couple of reasons come to mind. When we place ourselves in a position of kneeling, we are laying aside our pride and stretching physically before the Lord saying, “I am willing to seek You and accept Your guidance without question.” Secondly, the "I" is taken out of the picture and we submit to the will of God. That’s when the calming peace of God gently settles into our hearts. The problem may not go away, but the peace of knowing God has the situation at bay, makes all the difference in the world.
Any position we pray from, whether standing, sitting, walking, or kneeling, is good prayer time. But, when we truly humble ourselves before the Lord from our knees then this is when we are truly willing to listen and receive that peace that passes all understanding.
Try it. Close your bedroom door, turn out the lights, clear your mind, and then go to your knees. You will be amazed at the depth of peace you will find from your knees.

Prayer: Precious Father, bless us with the peace that passes understanding. Give our souls rest.