I know!

I know! I know! Pick me!

I used to teach Jr/Sr. High Bible classes, we had a system.  If the principal came by and we were discussing something totally NOT Bible related and I called on you for an answer, the answer was to be always, "Jesus." They used this to their benefit on tests, if they didn't know answer, they'd write, "Jesus." If they weren't paying attention when I called on them and had no idea what I'd even asked, they just replied, "Jesus." And it was always the right answer, well it got them grace and mercy anyway. Funny how that worked out, "Jesus," bringing about grace and mercy. This may be the most valuable lesson I ever taught them and I didn't even realize it! When we're trying to cover our shortcomings, or don't know the answer, or are preoccupied; for Jesus to be our go-to answer, well, I may have been a much better Bible teacher than I thought!

As I grow older, I realize Jesus isn't only a good answer, He's the right answer, the ONLY answer for everyone, for everything, for every nation and tribe.  I am so grateful for the life He's given me. Having grown up in church, I've needed the world view He's afforded me. I needed more than my Sunday school lessons to KNOW that He's THE answer.

I needed my agnostic / atheist Orthodox Christian European foreign exchange student.
I needed that trip to India 12 years ago.
I needed to spend Easter weekend in a Catholic nation.
I needed to live among the Buddhists.
I need to walk into that mosque.

I'll explain why I needed these things later, but I am so grateful for being able to see His creation, His people and their need for a Savior, Healer, Provider, up close and personal. I'm even more grateful to have the good answer, the right answer, the ONLY answer.  I know!

Jesus.

13-3-1948

13-3-1948 is the date at the top of the letter I found at my grandparent's house over Christmas. History, mine and a little bit of our nation's, a letter my papa wrote to his parents while a soldier in Germany. Framed and hanging on my wall now it makes me smile to have such a sweet piece of him from so many years ago. He would have been 19 years old as he penned this and already have been in the service for several years. He had only some primary school education as he worked in the fields, but he was one of the smartest men I've ever met.  Some of it was hard to make out, but I love having these pages in his hand writing misspellings and all!  It reads as follows:

Dear Mother & Dad,

   Well another Saturday afternoon got you here again and I am still in Germany. I guess I will have lots more to spend over here before I get home. I hope they are as purtty (pretty) as it is outside now.  The sun is shining brighter if it stays like this I will be able to go swim in a few days. Well mother, how is everybody come along back home these days?  Find (fine) I hope. I bit (bet) dad wish he could get a start a big crop this year. But he knows he cannot for he is not able. And I don't see of him from anymore. I thing (think) he should take easy as he could. Well this week I guess we will sure have to stay own the ball for General Clay and General Bruns will be here for three days next week and lots more officers. But I am not afraid of officers and more (anymore)  for they are good friend of my. But I don't thank (think) I will like General "Bear" when he come back over here. For I think his name is sound bad. HaHa. I had the best room of the week the colonel said. For the first time in three month. I thank (think) when their are 2000 men in the squad I one soldier has the best room is dam good. But I will never do that good again as long as I am in the combat squad. But I like to be a solider when I am on duty and off duty as will (well) For I thank (think) I am doing might well as a soldier. And I hope I a soldier for a long time as all so when I get in civilian life to. But their are not many soldier who care for the army. it is the best place for a man who use to run around all time in civilian. Well I better change the subject for I could talk about the army all day if I had time. HaHa. As Robert King use to say Radio is William. But I have got a different sand (sound) I high tone. HaHa. Well I guess I better sasy Good by as I have got drive some (?) this afternoon for the old man. 


   ByBy, William King