Safe Harbor
I returned from a trip to Iraq recently where I had the privilege of serving with our troops. If I had the opportunity to personally talk with some of the parents of these young men and women I would tell them what a great job their grown children are doing.
The conversations might go something like this, “Hey, Mom, it’s good to talk to you today. My name is Ben Mathes and I am the founder of Rivers of the World (ROW). I just want you to know that I had lunch with your son in Baghdad. He’s doing great. Dad, I saw your niece in the Diyala province and let me tell you, that young lady works so hard. Yeah, and I saw your nephew and I just want to assure you that he is doing fine also.”
Spending time with America’s finest showed me once again just how amazing these young folks are in some extreme circumstances. Their routine doesn’t vary much from day to day and you could even go so far as to say it is monotonous. They get up every morning, put on their boots, strap on their gear, grab their weapons and head out to their post. They climb in a Humvee or duck their heads to get in a Stryker, which is an armored combat vehicle. After a day of patrolling and maneuvers, they inspect and clean gear and equipment, eat, shower, sleep and get up the next day and do it all over again.
If these military members could pass on a message to their fellow Americans back home, they would say they are proud to serve their country, they are strong physically and emotionally and they are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in Iraq. I can also tell you that many of them are coming to faith in Jesus. On behalf of these men and women, I would ask that you continue to keep them in your prayers.
Parents have a wonderful assurance for their protection and for the protection of their children and this can be found in Proverbs 14:26:
“He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”
Build a strong foundation in the Lord and live out your faith daily in front of your children and you can be certain that when they are out of your reach, they are never out of the reach of Christ. Find peace today in the fact that when times get tough, your children will have a secure fortress to protect them.
