Enkindling

  Waiting for an oil change… Sounds like fun right? No matter your perception, it has to be done. It’s in those times God reminds me that it’s not all about me. The infamous auto-repair shop waiting room! A room I perceived to be bland, boring, and dull is something else to God. A room of hearts and souls.

Across the room sits an older man; a “good ole country boy” with a disfigured face. No one speaks to him. He has unmatched clothes, braided hair, and one eye covered by a patch. On his forearm is a tattoo that captures me. I know it all too well. It’s a tattoo of the 101st Airborne Division - U.S. ARMY

My late father had the very same tattoo on his forearm! Some time passes and he walks outside for a smoke. I followed and decided it was time for me to explain why I was staring at him in that room. I’m sure he assumed it was because of his disfigurement.

How ya doin’? (I say to him with my southern accent.)
I’m fine son. Sure can’t wait to get the hell outta here though.
I’m sorry for staring sir but… (Immediately his face turns downward assuming I am going to comment about his face.)
I noticed your tattoo. (His face lifts and a smile creeps out.)
Were you in the 101st son?
No sir. But my father was. (I hold back a tear. The last time I saw that tattoo was on my dad’s arm.)
It’s nice to know someone knows what this thing on my arm means. I was in Vietnam. That is how I got half my face blown off.
I’m sorry to hear that sir. My name is Mark. (Extending my hand.)
Nice to meet you. I’m Jack.

After more conversation, I learned he was a Georgia native! (That’s a rare thing these days.) But, he was moving to Las Vegas within a few days to make a fresh start. I wanted to know why. He shared with me how he recently attended the funeral of one of his Vietnam brothers. He is now one of only two in his company still living. I could tell he was extremely bothered by that. He told me how he wished he had already passed. He had nothing to live for. He could not stand seeing his brothers dying before him.

At this point I knew why God had me there. And I knew why He pushed me to get past myself and see the world outside that boring waiting room. Jack had seen so much death and pain. I acknowledged that. And then I asked him some questions he did not expect.

“How much LIFE have you seen sir? Don’t you think if you die you should die knowing you LIVED? Why did you risk your life for our country and your brothers in arms? Why did they risk their lives for you sir?”

You know the rest of what I told him… Jack did not make a commitment to Christ that day. I pray he does and experiences LIFE ever after. After all, he has a rendezvous with destiny.

“The 101^st Airborne Division has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny. Due to the nature of our armament, and the tactics in which we shall perfect ourselves, we shall be called upon to carry out operations of far-reaching military importance and we shall habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme.

Let me call your attention to the fact that our badge is the great American eagle. This is a fitting emblem for a division that will crush its enemies by falling upon them like a thunderbolt from the skies.” Major General William C. Lee