Christians disagree about the risks and rewards of war, but on Veterans Day, we pay special respect and recognition to all the living veterans, whose war memories may scar their days and haunt their nights. Who would not long for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy?

I was conceived one year after WWII by a conscientious objector and a sister of a doctor whose education was paid for by the GI bill. During the war, my father did alternative essential service in the food industry, producing products from soybeans as a chemical engineer.

My uncle, specializing in tropical diseases, dedicated his entire adult life to African people as a medical missionary. My uncle received many accolades for his work while my father’s love of research was hampered by preferences in hiring given to war veterans. I had no understanding of this career obstacle until adulthood because he never mentioned it.

One day he left his work in our large garden to inform, quietly but firmly, neighborhood children and me that our yard would not be used to play “Cowboys and Indians.” We switched to Tag. Afterward he told me about a relative who improved opportunities for American Indians by founding a school for them. I have never forgotten that lesson.

Dad taught us that obeying what one believes about following Christ will carry a cost, as it did for Jesus. He reminded us that Jesus knew it was better to die than to kill. Even though he had the power to save his life, he chose to save ours instead. Daddy and Uncle John agreed that God calls us to spend our lives helping others, and they did.

God bless you!

Rev. Ruth