I'll Be Brave

I read an obituary of a young boy who passed away from the effects of Leukemia. I was deeply touched by one particular phrase that, I'm sure, was written by his mother. There were a few words that the young boy uttered while he was still alive and those stuck out to me the most. "I'll be brave." I am touched that through the five rounds of chemo that this young boy endured he would look into the eyes of his parents and tell them that he would be brave.
I have a renewed commitment to face life 'head on' and brave through all that is given to me to endure in this great life.

A story, of our time, reminds me of the bravery displayed for fellow human beings.

"During fighting in Somalia in October of 1993, two United States Army Rangers in a helicopter during the firefight learned that two other helicopters near them had fallen to the earth. The two rangers, in their relative safety aloft, learned by radio that no ground forces were available to rescue one of the downed aircrews. Growing numbers of the enemy were closing in on the crash site.

The two men watching from above volunteered to go down to the ground (the words they used on the radio were to “be inserted”) to protect their critically wounded comrades. Their request was denied because the situation was so dangerous. They asked a second time. Permission was again denied. Only after their third request were they put down on the ground.  Armed only with their personal weapons, they fought their way to the crashed helicopter and the injured fliers. They moved through intense small arms fire as enemies converged on the crash site. They pulled the wounded from the wreckage. They put themselves in a perimeter around the wounded, placing themselves in the most dangerous positions. They protected their comrades until their ammunition was depleted and they were fatally wounded. Their bravery and their sacrifice saved the life of a pilot who would have been lost.  They were each awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor, their nation’s highest recognition for bravery in the face of an armed enemy. The citation reads that what they did was “above and beyond the call of duty.”

I was taught truth from the time I was very young. My parents saw that it was important, and vital, that I be taught the difference between right and wrong. They allowed me to stumble and fall, in order that I might learn eternal principles that would eventually and absolutely bless my life. When I fell, they were there by my side, to help pick me up and direct me in the direction that would bring me the greatest amount of happiness.
I understand that life has its challenges. Those will make us better. My desire is to be all that I am destined to be. Bravery is one of those characteristics that I would love to master. It is God-like in the purest form.
That young boy taught me a valuable lesson that has deeply penetrated my heart, today.
When all is said and done, I want it to be said of me that I was brave!

Service Being Our Greatest Joy

I continue to watch this very carefully in my own life.  There is power in serving somebody else.  Our greatest example is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  From the New Testament we read:

"He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded."

I am humbled by His great love, for not only His disciples, but for each one of us.

There is power in service that we render for our spouse and our children.  There isn't a better opportunity, in this world, than to give Christ-like service to those who are closest to us. 

I watch with hope that a man will, with gentleness, treat his sweetheart with love.  In turn, I anticipate that the gentleness will be reciprocated from her to him.  There is nothing better for a strong relationship than these acts of kindness.

I love to hear parents talk kindly to their children.  Our family was at Danny's indoor soccer game, last weekend, and a father was giving his young daughter some helpful tips to better her game.  He spoke with gentleness and softly, yet his point was heard and well taken by the young girl.  I could tell by his example how he talked to his other children and his wife.  

My parents taught me as a young boy that the secret to a successful marriage is to serve, serve, and serve some more.  A person can't serve too much.  I have witnessed it, first hand, in my own marriage.

I am thankful for Jesus in my life.  I am trying to be like Him.

The words of a favorite song give great clarity to this subject and act as a great reminder of what I should be doing.

"As I have loved you, love one another.  This new commandment, love one another.  By this shall men know, ye, are my disciples.  If ye have love, one to another."

I am trying to love my family and everybody else around me through acts of kindly service.