“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matt. 25:40 (NKJV)

Several months ago our pastor presented a DVD to our congregation in order to remind us to pray for our troops.  There were no actors or fancy words, but merely many pictures of men and women saying goodbye to their loved ones leaving their families to serve our country.  At different times throughout the presentation, these words would appear:  “Please remember me.” 

As I looked around at the congregation, my mind was flooded with thoughts about how we can forget to pray for our soldiers and even forget that there is actually a war going on.  That night God began to stir something within me. 

Our pastor has a heart for our soldiers, especially since his own son was seriously injured in Iraq over a year ago.  His son lost a leg from the knee down due to an explosion.  For many months they went back and forth to both Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center awaiting their son’s recovery.  He and his wife were dramatically impacted, both from living through their own son’s ordeal and from what they witnessed from the other wounded soldiers and their families. Their lives will never be the same, but our church lived through it too, and we were impacted as well, back home. 

A few days later I was alarmed by a story on the evening news.  An elderly couple spoke candidly about their son who had gone to Iraq.  Many pictures were shown of him and his children and you could tell that he had been a happy, stable man.  You could also tell that he loved his children dearly.  His parents said that before their son left for Iraq, he carefully instructed his children to remember to say their prayers and to always respect and obey their teachers. 

The young father went off to fight in Iraq and came back injured and had to be hospitalized.  Unfortunately, his mental condition was not stable either.  His parents said that for some reason their son couldn’t get a particular soldier out of his mind and over something he witnessed while at war.

Some time later he was released from the hospital and was assigned a room nearby.  Since his parents were elderly and unable to travel, they tried calling their son numerous times, but got no answer.  They also called other people at the hospital in hopes that someone would go to their son’s room to see about him.  One person declined going because he said it was too far for him to walk to that particular complex.  Finally someone did go, but it was too late because their son had taken his life two days earlier. 

After hearing this heartbreaking story, I was compelled to pray this simple prayer: “Father, what can I do to help?"  Immediately I sensed God speak to my heart, "Write.  I have given you a gifting to write and encourage."  That’s all it took and from that moment I knew what I wanted to do and that I would send out cards of encouragement to our men and women in the armed forces.  It didn’t matter to me where they were, whether in a hospital or still fighting, all I knew was that I wanted to obey what God said. 

The very next day, I received an e-mail from a friend and in the subject line were these words, "Remember our Soldiers." I knew it was definite confirmation for what I believe God spoke to my heart the previous evening.  I didn’t know how or where to start on this endeavor, but I was sure that if God wanted me to do something that He would provide the way -- because He is the "Way." 

A few weeks later, I received an e-mail from a young man who at one time had been employed at the same office where I work.  He had left three years earlier to serve as a Chaplain in the military.  I could hardly contain my excitement when I saw his message because I knew that God was definitely up to something.  My friend told me that he was in Iraq and that he had wonderful opportunities to minister to soldiers and tell them about Jesus Christ on a daily basis.  That was wonderful news to me!  I wrote back and told him of my vision about sending cards of encouragement.  He wrote me back and said that he would be happy to give my cards to the soldiers directly.  Friends, all I can say is “Wow!”  I am in awe of how God works.  When people say, “God works in mysterious ways,” that is so true.  He never ceases to amaze me!  We serve a God who is truly alive and active in our lives when we allow Him to be. 

I am reminded of one particular passage which I feel sums up what I feel we should consider.  At Matthew 25:31, Jesus began to describe how it will be when He comes in His glory and with all the holy angels.  I believe you will be able to see from the following passage that helping others means more to God than we can ever imagine. 

(34) “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (35) for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; (36) I was naked, and you clothed Me:  I was sick and you visited Me: I was in prison and you came to Me.’ (37) “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed You, or thirsty and gave You drink?  (38) When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked, and clothe You?  (39) Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?’  (40) And the King shall answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”  (Emphasis added, mine.)

This clearly shows the heart of God. I believe He desires for us to bless each other in whatever manner we feel within our hearts.  And if we bless each other, we also bless our Heavenly Father all at the same time.  When we do for others, we are doing the same as unto the Lord.

We can make a difference in a soldier’s life.  We can lift the spirit of someone who could use some encouragement and inspiration.  Maybe it might be through sending a heartfelt card or letter.  Perhaps through sending a small package filled with homemade goodies.  Nothing elaborate is required; just send along some love and make someone’s day. 

Did you know that there are soldiers who actually doubt that God is protecting them?  Did you know that some soldiers stop believing in God altogether instead of drawing closer to Him?  We need to remember that there are those who may be having a struggle realizing that God is indeed with them.  There are many who live their lives in constant fear of the enemy who is on every side.  Let us also consider that there may be those who feel forgotten, alone and like no one cares. 

Whatever you decide to do, I know that there are service men and women far away that would feel very special if a card, letter or package were sent to them.   Hopefully, those individuals would realize very quickly that they’re not forgotten after all.  That soldier would realize that someone has remembered him. 

May the Lord bless you immensely as you remember our troops.

Happy Independence Day!

Prayer:  Father, I can’t thank You enough for all You’ve done to open our eyes to see things we may have overlooked.  Help us Lord, to show our men and women in the armed forces Your love through the means that You lead us.  Help us not to forget those who need to feel Your love Lord.  It is a terrible thing to feel forgotten, alone or rejected. I pray for strength for those who are serving in the military and who are having feelings such as these.  Lift them up today.  I pray for a flurry of cards, letters and packages to go out to our troops within the next few weeks.  I trust You for that!  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

Check out this link for one way to help our United States troops: 

http://give2.ccci.org/featured/rdk-email/