Prayers and Legacies

I had a conversation with a WWII Veteran years ago that struck a chord in my brain, and I have never forgotten what he told me. People rarely talk about their service, especially in combat areas. So, when he started telling me this story, I made sure I was mentally focused on what he was about to say.

Here was a young marine going off to war in a country he had probably never had heard of before. He told me of the fear he had and some of his experiences. He watched his friend being shot and dying beside him. He told me how you had to survive, unfortunately by taking weapons or food from someone that had been killed, whether it be friend or foe. He told me about being shot himself and receiving the purple heart. He told me of his experience with a woman when he returned home, and that’s what caused me to realize the pain and anguish that war causes for all that are affected by it.

He said after her got home he was amongst a group of people, and a woman commented on how hard she had prayed for her son to come home safely, and he did. This young man looked at her and said, “ma’am many mothers and fathers prayed for their children to come home, and theirs did not." He said it stopped the woman right there because she knew he was right. He looked me right in the eye and said, “I do not know why I was spared.” At that time, I was young myself in my faith, but I remember saying to my granddaddy. “It may be that a wonderful legacy is to follow you.” That’s right it was my grandfather that served his country, but he never quite understood why he was spared. I have no idea of what God’s plan is, but I do know as Christians we have a responsibility to leave a legacy of believing, faith, and obedience. I constantly must reprimand my own self.

But that comment about prayer made me very aware about how God answers our prayers. He may give us what we ask for, or he may have something in store for us that we do not understand. I do not know why he took my daughter home, and yes sometimes I question the why. But I have to believe it was for a reason unseen to me. His comment taught me not to blunt out an answered prayer when I am with someone that their prayer may have been answered differently.

But his legacy lives on, in ways that he could not had imagined. He married a beautiful woman, and they had four children, that expounded into grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. His and her lineage have produced a legacy of patriotism, hard workers, and people that serve in ministry in different areas. There is a preacher, mission workers, and ones who sing for Jesus. Right now, as I write this, God has placed it on one of great-great grandson’s heart to share the gospel with others. Even though he has lost his mother, he is being obedient to what God wants him to do at this moment in time. And I know he has a plan for all of us. So, don’t ever think you do not have a purpose. We will all leave a legacy of some kind. I pray mine is one that is remembered as being obedient and faithful, knowing that I fall short so often in my Christian walk.

Dawn Renee