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Topic: Hospitality (02/07/05)
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TITLE: Hooker's Hospitality | Previous Challenge Entry
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02/12/05 -
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I stood there at T.J. Hooker's door with my duffle bag slung over my shoulder, expecting nothing more than a warm meal and a place to crash. My denim jeans were worn at the knees, my sneakers were caked with dried mud and there were brown stains scattered in various places on my shirt from my late night coffee binges.
The door swung open and a man with a smile as wide as the doorway reached out and took hold of my hand, pulling me out of the cold. "Happy Thanksgiving, young fellow. I'm T.J. Hooker. What's your name?"
It then occurred to me that I could have said my name was John Wayne Gacey and Mr. Hooker would still have allowed me to enter his warm home.
"David Blake," I said, removing my knit cap and pawing at it nervously.
"Welcome, David. Make yourself at home. There are other sailors sitting her in the living room. We'll be eating very soon."
I looked around the living room and saw other anxious faces similar to mine sitting on the sofas and floor. They too were military men with no place to go for the holidays. Their eyes were wild with wonder as to what might be in store. A few of the sailors were making conversation amongst themselves. "He plans on feeding all of us," said one sailor in a low voice.
Mr. Hooker, who was carrying a tray of punch, smiled at the young man and placed the tray on the coffee table. "I'll feed you all, give you a place to sleep and then tomorrow," he stood up placing his hands on his hips. "We will go to church for a service just for you gentlemen."
"How can you afford to feed all fifteen of us," said the sailor, taking a glass of punch from the tray.
"It was easy. God has provided four turkeys and plenty of side dishes to feed you all for several days." The boys on the couch made room for Mr. Hooker to sit. "I've been doing this every Thanksgiving for the past eight years. I go to the base and find as many sailors as I can and if they don't have a place to eat Thanksgiving dinner I provide them with one."
I sat there on a bare piece of carpet in front of the fireplace and listened.
"This is my ministry. God loves each and every one of you the way I love my son. He doesn't want a single one of you to be alone on a day of thanksgiving. Especially those willing to risk their life for their country."
"Aren't you scared that you might let the wrong person into your house? Someone dangerous?" I asked, hearing the flames flicker over my shoulder.
"No," he said.
"What about someone stealing something?" another sailor asked.
"If they ask I'll gladly let them have it." His smile was being reflected on the faces surrounding him. "You see boys, as long as God is with me I will fear no evil. No weapon formed against me will prosper. I'll never go hungry and I'll never thirst. The Lord has supplied you with dinner because he loves you and doesn't want you to go hungry. He wants to be with you on your ships and he wants to be with you on the battlefield. If you have God, you too, will fear no evil."
"Even Saddam?" asked a boy.
"Saddam is only a mosquito compared to your Lord and Savior," replied Mr. Hooker.
I sat quietly listening to my fellow soldiers ask Mr. Hooker questions about God. When his wife came out and announced that dinner was being served everyone leaped from their seats and walked towards the kitchen.
Everyone but me.
The living room emptied and Mr. Hooker noticed me sitting alone with my gaze lost in the fire. He came and sat down beside me. "David, is something bothering you?"
I was hesitant to speak at first, then once I looked up at his compassionate eyes I found what I needed to speak. "My ship leaves next week to go overseas and I have no family to write to and there is no one to be concerned about my safety." I looked at him with tear-stained eyes. "I would like to know that God is with me every step of the way and that when I'm lonely I can talk to him. Can you help me?"
"I sure can, David." He took my both my hands and grasped them tightly. "Let's pray."
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