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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Hospitality (02/07/05)
This morning I received an email from a friend. It presented a web slideshow of our military troops in foreign settings. Some were kneeled down talking to children; some were washing their hair under a stream poured from a watering can; some were sleeping in the dirt.

I was reminded these men and women were just like me, just like all of us. They struggle with being dirty, being exhausted and missing their families. If they were camped on my street I would offer them a hot meal, use of my shower, and a warm bed. I'm sure they do not fill their minds with thoughts of the "glory" of war, but with memories and dreams of being at home with loved ones. Perhaps my home could provide a restful pit stop in their arduous journey.

I found myself considering the wars of history. Too often we look at those events from the perspective of how they played out for each country. We forget there were individual men and women just like our troops who feared for their lives and missed their families. I wonder about the acts of kindness that may have been experienced along the way. Was there someone to dip a cup of water, offer a loaf of bread, dress a wound or just hold a hand while someone cried?

I don't believe any average person, deep in their heart, is really for war. I do believe many justify killing in their minds by being 'for' or 'against' something. I do not understand why it is so easy to see the individuality of the people in our uniform, but hard to realize the enemy is made up of individuals, too. Would we offer a kind word to our enemy?

Much prayer is needed. Not that 'our side' would win, but for individuals. There should be prayer for safety, for wisdom, for compassion. And for those who indeed have hatred and prejudice in their hearts we should pray with sincerity. You see they are even further away from home than the average soldier. We may not be on the front of a physical war, but we indeed should be in the midst of the battle for lost and hurting souls.

I hope you will take a few minutes today to consider someone who is away from home, hungry and cold -- whether they are soldier or civilian, and no matter what part of the world they call home. Perhaps they are not on foreign soil, but are living right down the street.

Hopefully we will all spend eternity together.
John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the WORLD . . ."
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Phyllis Inniss 
02/14/05
Very thoughtful insights on those away from home. Most times we just see the other side instead of the individuals and their human needs. Their need to be prayed for as they fight battles not of their own making. Thanks for sharing.