A friend for all of us.

Over the years, I have been involved in a few youth ministries. Some of them good, some of them not so good. Some of them, the youth just didn't want to get involved, or there were some who tried to cause trouble or there were even some who just didn't care. I am very blessed to be part of the youth ministry at our current church. The youth there are great! I am not saying we don't have our problems, because we do. I am just saying the blessing out weigh the problems, 20 fold. A lot of these kids have a good head on their shoulders, they know what they want to do with their lives once they graduate high school. One such kid was Kurt.

I have known Kurt for, oh I guess about five years now. He was one of those guys who knew exactly what he wanted to do. Kurt wanted to join the Armed Forces. After he graduated, he did just that. I have tried to keep up with Kurt over the past few years but it has been hard. He has been all over the world, sometimes he couldn't tell us where he was going or where he has been. I would just be elated when I got a letter from him telling me of his latest adventures.

Like I said, it is hard to keep up with him and I have not spoken with him in a very long time. That is until the other day, someone gave me Kurt's email address. I wrote him a quick note, asking him how he was doing and if he needed anything. That was a week or two ago, today I got an email from him! It was short and sweet, you know, "I am OK." "How are you and the family?" Stuff like that. But the one thing in his email that stands out the most is this one comment, and I will quote it. "Things are alright here. Not a whole lot to say about it. I stay busy, but my needs are small, and my wants are smaller. I really couldn't ask for anything more than I have now, except maybe a safe return."

I don't know where Kurt is right now, I know he is in a desert in some faraway land, away from his friends and family defending our country. He is probably sleeping in a cot or in a sand pit somewhere. Eating MRE's. Not being able to take a shower everyday. Missing the stuff that we take for granted. But he says he doesn't need anything. I am just blown away by that statement. I guess because it is so selfless.

Luke 10:27 He answered, "'Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Then Jesus goes on to tell the story of the Good Samaritan. I never really thought about all of the people in that story. There was the robber, the religious men, the Samaritan, and the innkeeper. Jesus went to the cross for all of them. They had their good traits and their faults.

I am not saying Kurt is Jesus. Believe me, Kurt is far from being Jesus. I have some stories to tell but that is another article. But Kurt is willing to love his neighbor enough to go to war to keep our country free. I know, I know, I am not being politically correct. But he is willing to do it for the Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, people who do not believe in the war, people who do not support our troops, people who protest and call him names. Just like Jesus did it for the innkeeper, the religious men, the Samaritan, the robbers, me and you. I know this is kind of a stretch to make a point but I feel it needed to be said.

So if you do or do not believe in this war or any war, at least support the guys who are sent to fight for our country. They and the HEROS before them are the reason why we are allowed to disagree with each other and put our thought down on these blog things without being sent to jail. They and the HEROS before them are the reason we can go to church without the fear of being put to death. They and the HEROS before them are the reason why this country is so great. THEY are HEROS just like the men and women before them.

I know that this in not like most of my other posts. It is kind of a in-your-face, down to true life type blog. Kurt and others like him are out there in harms way, all they ask is for a safe return. Guys, when you are sitting with your families and friends having some quality time with them, say a little prayer for all of those in harms way. Ask the good Lord for them all to return home safe.

Kurt, man if you ever read this, thank you for taking the time and risking your life, so me and my family are free to do whatever we want. Thank you for keeping us safe from people who want to take this freedom from us. Thank you for being my friend. I WILL see you when you get home. Keep your head down and be safe. I love you man.

God bless,

Joe

A friend for all of us.