Standing at the Ready

As I entered the chapel I couldn't help but notice him in his dress greens, with his definite military posture and haircut, what almost escaped my eye was the shred of a tissue in his hand. As a matter of fact I would have missed it, if he hadn't lifted it to dab at his moist eyes keeping the tears at bay. He was watching the toddler running from pew to pew, out into the vestibule and then back down the center aisle. As I slipped forward to pay my respects and pass along my sympathies to the family of the fallen solider, I tried to find ways to practically support those who were grieving. After all, I had not known this man in life but I did love his family dearly. As I sat with his cousin, more military men entered the room. They had the pomp and circumstance of the honor guard and it was time for them to rotate a new solider into position to stand guard over the casket. What an incredibly emotional moment. A fallen solider so cared for by his fellow soldiers that they protect his final resting place as a treasure of national consequence. Throughout the day I continue to see these little nuances of the men in uniform - small things that they would do or say, the people they would follow and protect. Those not in the honor guard were here from Michael's unit and were each assigned someone in the family to protect or watch over. Santiago, the first one I mentioned, was assigned guard for the son of a hero. Others watch the boy's mother and grandparents. The honor guard guarantees his status as one of the elite in our world who deserves all the celebration he is now receiving. Given just a few moments of quiet, I took the liberty of thanking Santiago for the sacrifice he makes to protect our country. He, like so many other soldiers I have met, shrugs off the gratitude and said it is nothing.
But it is something. Something so powerful that I have felt compelled to write about it since that moment. He stands at the ready. In a moment's notice, he like so many others is prepared to give his life to save mine. To guarantee my freedom, his family is willing to let him die. And now as he places his friend and fellow solider into the eternal, he stood at the ready to defend Michael's body from whatever enemy might seek to interfere. Given the season, it seems only fair to draw the parallel between these men and one who came years ago in a stable. The Christ child came to die. His sole purpose was to stand at the ready as a sacrifice for you and me. One of my favorite songs from this season asks the question "Mary did you know?" Clearly the answer is she didn't. The Jews believed their Messiah was coming to rule and reign as a King. She thought she had been chosen to bear the one who would rule the Jews  - not die for their sins. She didn't know her sacrifice, and His, would free generations to come. She didn't know. But she wouldn't have done it any other way. "Be it unto me according to your word Lord." that is what she wanted - to be the vessel that brought the world its greatest hero. Jesus says to us in Luke 12:48b "...to whom much is given, much is required." He gave us salvation...what shouldn't we give in return? This land gave Micheal freedom in return he stood ready to defend up to the moment of his death. Christ gave me eternity in return I stand at the ready!