The Kind and Gentle Man

This morning as I sat by the fire looking out the living room window at the snow laden spruce trees lining the long and winding driveway that leads to my earthly dwelling I was overcome with the realization of the many blessings I have received throughout my life.

This is where I set aside time to spend with my Lord and it is a good place. As the angle of the light from the sun changes throughout the year the scenes through the "picture window" indeed take on different hues that combined with the varying weather patterns present ever changing vistas as a backdrop to contemplate His creation.

This was different than most days. I usually submit myself to Him and dedicate the coming day to His will. ( I did not come to this process in a straightforward or timely manner)

I was saved when I was ten years old. At age twelve I began my prodigal exploration that took up far too many decades of my life.

In high school I played football and my senior year I was elected captain. While giving the acceptance speech I noticed a kind and gentle appearing man standing at the back of the room. (no one else seemed to notice him) In my speech no mention was made of my savior and no credit was given to Him. As the polite applause subsided I noticed the kind and gentle man's face had the look of fatherly pride as if he knew me and a semi-smile that seemed to say "thats ok, there is more to come".

At the end of the football season I received the all west state award and went on to college where I entered the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps since I had always wanted to be an Air Force fighter pilot. I competed with 143 other cadets and was "lucky" enough to receive one of five pilot slots for my year group at my college. Before graduation were awards for cadet of the month, General Dynamics award for military excellence, and outstanding cadet officer in competition with seven other colleges. After commissioning it was off to Air Force pilot training where my class of 60 ended up with 40 getting their wings and of the 40 that got their wings only 19 were fighter qualified. I was "lucky" enough to be one of those 19.

I list these things just to point out that at each of these awards was an opportunity to tell about my savior and give Him the rightful credit for everything. Not once did I ever do it. At each ceremony was this kind and gentle man at the back of the room with the same expression and demeanor.

I went on to fly A-10s and in the A-10 qualification course I received the Top Gun award. Once again I was asked to "say a few words" and give any advice I might have to the other pilots. Once again no mention was made of my savior and no credit was given to Him. I remember I finished the short speech by saying " oh yea, and my advice to you is to drink heavily".

As the room erupted in laughter I instinctively looked for the kind and gentle man. This time I did not see him in the back of the room but out of the corner of my eye I saw him standing with his back against a side wall. This time He did not have a look of fatherly pride but instead He was looking down at the floor and there was a tear on his cheek. I "blew it off" and went home.

It wasn't until after I got out of the Air Force and finally came back to my Lord that I realized the many missed opportunities to witness for our Lord and Savior.

Please learn from my mistakes and don't miss an opportunity.​