Death, of a Son...

Tonight I had the opportunity to chat with a gentleman at a park. We did the basic small talk at first, then it quickly got a bit serious. You see he has 3 sons, my age and older. Two are Soldiers in the US Army, but only one is still alive. His middle son, "stubby" was killed by a road side bomb in Iraq. He was the lead gunner and would say "If I can make it through, then my troops can make it". His father was proud of him, and rightly so. Stubby fought for his country, and for his fellow soldiers, and that is a noble task. Stubby also loved kids. Which makes part of this story extra sad. Because his first and only son was born while he was in Iraq and Stubby never saw his son face to face.

Stubby's father, whose name I don't know told me another great story about his son this evening. When Stubby was in Kosovo he was serving near a school where all the children had only pencils an inch long, and scraps of paper to write on. Stubby was so moved to help these kids he called his dad back home and requested new pencils and paper. When those supplies arrived the kids were over joyed! Stubby reported the kids in Kosovo didn't even know they made paper that BIG!! Watching Stubby's father relay this story to me with a big smile brought me, a stranger to this family, JOY.

Then Stubby's father was moved, almost, to tears. I am sure he was reminded that is son is gone. And worse, his boy, who loves kids so much, never got to play with his son.

This post is not just to tell you a powerful story. But to ask you a question.

You see as I was walking to the park this evening I was praying. Praying for this City, and asking the Lord Jesus what this town needed. The easy Sunday school answer is Jesus. This town needs Jesus. But how do they receive Him? How do they meet Him? How they know Him?

The man I meet tonight is not unlike many in town. Semi-retired, blue collar guy with alcohol on his breath and in his hand taking care of his grand kids because his son, and his x-wife are too busy at the moment to care for their own child. ... but I am getting off track.

This man has a need. He has a deep hurt. He is struggling with lose... more accurately... Death. I could tell it was very top of mind for him because one of the first words he said to me was "he (his grandson) and my old hunting dog really played well together". He started our conversation talking about death. His old hunting dog died two years ago, one year BEFORE Stubby Died. You see, death of a dog is easier small talk then the death of your son. But when death is on your mind it's hard not to talk about it.

Ok, back to the question that is in my mind. How do I show this man, Stubby's dad, Jesus?

I am not sure at this moment, but I am sure it wasn't to quiz him on the 4 spiritual laws, or to ask him if he considers him self to be a "good person". Further more with the death of his son so deep in his mind in his mind, any discussion of the after life would bring up questions of where is my son NOW? Is he in Heaven? Is he in Hell?

Those are heavy questions. Ones I can not truly answer.

Conclusion. I need to make a follow up appointment with Stubby's father and help him grieve the lose of his son Stubby. And maybe, by God's grace, Stubby's father can meet Jesus.

until next time... pray for Stubby's dad.