Today was a great day. First off, and ultimately less important, I am now on iTunes. If you go to iTunes and search for the Shiloh podcast, you will find a message I preached on Nehemiah chapter one (that is if you care to listen to it).
On to the amazing, emotional, sobering event of the day. A former student of the school I work at was killed in Iraq recently and the funeral was held at the church today. Obviously, this day was not easy for the family and friends of this young man. The funeral was very meaningful and everything went as well as could be expected. Before the funeral, I walked outside and was shocked to see about 50 bikers standing like sentinels around the building. They were all dressed in their leather gear and each one was holding an American flag. This is a group of bikers who attend military funerals in the area, they had no connection with the family or anyone at the church. There is a group of freakshows who travel around and protest at military funerals shouting horrible things at family members. I don't know if you have heard of these people but I'm not sure what I would do if I came into contact with one of them. Anyway, these bikers have taken it upon themselves to "stand guard" around military funerals. I was talking to one of the guys, thanking him for what he was doing and he responded with, "It is the least we can do for those who are giving their lives for our freedom." After that, I watched as Marines in full dress shook hands with these bikers thanking them for their encouragement and support... and I lost it. Words cannot express the emotion that welled up as I watched a group of strangers making their stand in support of a family that had suffered a terrible loss. Today, I was reminded that people do amazing things. Things that are unselfish, things that put others before them, and things that give us glimpses of who God created us to be. Today I was proud to be an American (now cut to black and start the music)
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2 comments:
i love bikers. they have such gentle hearts. my uncle and his wife were a part of a group called Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) . . . a group here in CO goes up to the treatment center where i used to work twice a year to feed and minister to the boys. they give them motorcycle rides . . .
there is something about these men and women, using their tough exterior to make people feel safe and protected . . . i really respect that.
Sarah H. told me that I HAD to read your - I think the adjective she used was amazing - blog. :o) So, I've been reading for a while without commenting, but this story is just so cool. So I hope you don't mind, but I put a link for your blog in my post today.
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