I was compelled to share a story by Herbert Vander Lugt with you this week, something I read in a booklet someone left behind at the gym…
Vietnam war Navy fighter pilot Charles Plumb was sitting in a restaurant one night when a man approached him and said: “You’re Plumb right? You flew jet fighters in ‘Nam. You were on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hank and were shot down right?”
“How in the world did you know all that?” asked Plumb.
The man, who had been on the same ship, replied, “I packed your parachute!” Then he added, “I guess it worked.”
“Indeed it did” said Plumb.
That night Plumb thought of this man who had stood at a table in the belly of the ship carefully folding parachutes for men who’s lives might depends on them.
Plumb was saddened and humbled as he thought, how many times might I have passed this man but didn’t even say good morning because I was a jet pilot and he was a low ranking sailor?
This story brings to mind David’s words in today’s bible reading. Two hundred of his men became too weary to march farther to find the Amalekites. So they stayed behind to guard supplies.
When David returned from battle, he made no distinction between them and his fighting men. He said, “they shall share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24).
In God’s service there are no high and low people, no high and low tasks. We all depend on one another.
We can’t forget those who make our lives easier, who “pack our chutes”. Be sure to acknowledge the “little guys” in the upcoming week and beyond for they are the ones who make the biggest sacrifices.
Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives
And for looking after us, our families and friends,
We thank you for those who work tirelessly
Serving God through all of us.
Lord we ask you to continue to inspire us
To walk in your footsteps and try be more like you,
And to humble us so that we may take notice
That no service to you is insignificant.
We pray for your endless grace,
Your unconditional love
And your forgiveness.
God we love you and thank you for all that surrounds us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
