Brave Soldier

There is a special grave in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. called the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”. Inside is a military man from World War I who has never been named. His burial place serves to pay tribute to all those unnamed men and women who have died in wartime service to our country but has never been identified.  The only inscription on the tomb reads, “Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God". 

There are other unknown warriors who have gone on to be with the Lord.  These folks have followed after Christ, carried the gospel to their friends, families and communities and have lived a life pleasing to God.  We may never know their names or the deeds they’ve done on this side of Heaven, but God knows. 

This brings us to today’s story titled, “Brave Soldier.” It comes from II Timothy 4:6-22. Our theme verse is II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

“Mama!” Hanna anxiously roamed the house in search of her mother. “Mama, where are you?” she cried.

“I’m in here, baby,” Mom called from the screened-in porch. 

Hanna found her mother sitting in a wicker chair with her Bible spread across her lap.  She could tell her mother had been crying.  Hanna laid a hand on her mother’s arm. “What’s wrong, Mama?”

Mom placed the Bible on the side table and pulled Hanna onto her knee.  “I’ve been out here thinking about and praying for Sister Francis.”

“Is Sister Francis sick?” asked Hanna.

“No, baby, but she got some really bad news this morning.  You remember her son, Walter, who joined the Army not long ago?”

“Yes ma’am.  He always gave me a piece of candy at church.”

“Well, she got word that there was a helicopter accident, and..well…he was onboard.”

Hanna leaned back against Mom’s shoulder and silently watched as tears rolled down her mother’s cheeks.  “I’m sorry that you are so sad, Mama,” she finally said.

Mom squeezed Hanna and smiled.  “Thank you, dear.  I am sad.  It makes it harder because Sis. Francis just talked with Walter last week.  He begged her to send him some of her homemade oatmeal cookies.  She had just gotten back from the post office after shipping six dozen cookies when a man came to her house with the terrible news.”

Hanna jumped down and made her way out of the room.

“Where are you going?” Mom said.

“I’m going to draw Sis. Francis a picture of Walter in Heaven,” Hanna replied.  “That way she will always remember where he’s at when she starts to miss him too much.”

Let’s search the Word: 

As Paul neared the end of his life, he reached out to his dear friend, Timothy.  Paul gave him words of encouragement and told him how much he was missed. Paul also told Timothy that he was ready to go be with the Lord because “he had fought a good fight.”  Like Paul, we all should be brave soldiers in God’s army. 

Let’s also not forget about those brave soldiers that are in the military fighting battles half way around the world.  Do you know any?  Can you say a prayer for them and the other brave men and women of our military? 

And remember that Jesus loves you, so love Him back with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Copyright 2011 King's Kids Media 

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