I made a quilt for a wounded soldier, along with matching friendship bracelets - one I have on my left arm at all times to remind me to pray for him and one for him to have so he can know that I’m praying for him. One of the things I pray for the most is the courage and hope to keep pressing on in his recovery, as well as a sense that he is loved, respected, and appreciated, and that he has a purpose for being here.
Just like everything I’m trying to accomplish in my life, seems like I’m paying my government to undo it. Everything in my being is saying to that soldier, “Live and prosper!” And my government is tapping their foot and saying, “Can’t you just die already?”
To help me know how better to pray, I watched “Black Hawk Down” for the first time a while back. I watched it again just 2 nights ago while I put newspapers together. I am struck again and again with the knowledge that our arrogant usurper is unworthy to even lick clean the latrines of those guys.
The incident portrayed was not the only one at that time.
Also watch “The Kingdom,” if you haven’t. There’s a perspective, right there. A couple of characters are lame, though.
From the movie script:
“DOJ pol type: I’m gonna bury you.
The answer from the Director/guy in charge (DC setting. Fancy office): You know, Westmoreland made all of us officers write our own obituaries during Tet. When we thought the Cong were gonna end it all right there. And once we clued in to the fact that life is finite, the thought of losing it didn’t scare us anymore.
The end comes no matter what. The only thing that matters is how do you want to go out? On your feet or on your knees?
I bring that lesson to this job. I act knowing that someday this job will end, no matter what.
You should do the same.”
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/k/the-kingdom-script-transcript.html