Chaplain's Corner - March 2011

Remember, while on a mission, you thought you were going to be killed. Later when you made it back to your base camp you wondered how you made it through that near death experience. Well, I'm going to give you a Christian answer in the words of the "Footprints."

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord (Jesus Christ). Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord.. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest (hot firefights) and the saddest (retrieve the bodies of friends) times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you the most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child; I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

If you are reading this, then you know that the Lord walked with you or carried to this point in your life. Between April 17th (Palm Sunday), April 22nd (Good Friday) and April 24th (Easter - Resurrection of Jesus), we will be remembering what God did for us through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. This is a time to establish a new life saving relationship with God, or renew an expired relationship with God and rededicate your life to God and receive the promise of eternal life with God in heaven. Then find a church that suits your worship style, and grow in your faith in Jesus Christ until God calls you home. Persevere and trust God to get you through these tumultuous and evil times . . .

Chaplain (LTC) John Szilvasy,