By Rev. Donn

I remember hearing a minister telling about when he was a student at Johnson’s Bible College, back in the 60’s and Rear Admiral Thornton Miller came to speak. Rear Admiral Thornton Miller at that time was the highest ranking chaplain in the military. The student was impressed with how great the Admiral looked in his uniform, but even more so with the words that he spoke. The Admiral had been at Normandy on that day in June, and described the horrific slaughter as he went from soldier to soldier, as they lay screaming, crying, and dying and he was trying to say a few words of comfort, to have prayer; words of comfort say a prayer, as he went from soldier to soldier.

Someone asked him, “Up and down the beach? With the shells going off everywhere? Why did you do that?”

And he said, “Because I’m a Christian.”

“But didn’t you ask if they were Catholic or Protestant or Jewish or Atheist?”

And the Admiral answered, “If you’re a Christian, the only question you ask is, ‘Can I help you?’”

He was at Normandy, the invasion, not shooting, not trying to advance, but absolutely essential.

We are Christians, and while we certainly are called to share the Gospel, share God’s grace and share God’s love, we are also called to give comfort and offer prayer for others. We may not get to wear a fancy uniform, and the people we help may never know our name, but we help them nonetheless. Because we are Christians.

As we come into July and celebrate the 4th of July I want to say ‘Thank you.’ Thank you for the many ways you have served throughout this pandemic, thank you for the many ways you have reached out to show caring and to share comfort, thank you for the prayers you have offered. Thank you for being where you were needed, doing what you could, with what you had. You are a blessing, you make a difference, you are a Christian, and for that I am very thankful.

 

Thank you and God Bless