The Forgotten
I arrived in Florida late Sunday afternoon after driving through 5.5 hours of monsoons I finally saw the break of the sun.
As I toured the coast, I stopped for the night and come morning I strolled down the beach. I stopped; I sat and watched the never ending sea; as I alone listened to the loud silence of times constant and rolling tide.
It brought solace, yet I pondered at that moment the very being of me.
In my heart and soul I knew that even greater things did exist. I thought of God: I thought of the burdens of humanity. What pray tell is our purpose and the reason we exist? I listened to my heart and heard God gently speak to me.
The answer was as simple as the wind and the sea. We are to carry the cross; we are to speak His word and bring hope to humanity. Yet today I was without words as I toured ‘Old Town’ in St. Augustine and in heart and soul became deeply disturbed. I came across many along the way such as the man in the photo depicted above.
Some still wore patches and tarnished medals from a war long ago. ‘Vietnam Vets they were with no place to go. Yet throngs of tourist all in fine dress just casually passed them by.
My mind drifted back to the sea, and in my hearts silence I just had to ask God….’WHY’?
Swiftly like the sea and the wind came his reply, “I am Alpha and Omega”, ‘The beginning and the end’.
‘Thus heed my words that I spoke to you by the sea; carry my cross and tell them all about my never ending love and the grace that I give to all of them as well as thee.’
I cannot help them all was my silent reply as I watched hundreds upon hundreds of well to do pass these poor souls by,
so I silently prayed a prayer of love and forgivness for all; the rich and the poor as well as these…(sigh)
J. Allen Wilson © 5/7/2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1kzd-bdv2w
Share
Print
Save
I was 1Y and disregarded by the draft board after I became paralyzed––not very good fodder for the war machine––lost my macho. However, I never treated any veteran badly because of their part of the war even though some high school friends had encouraged me to enlist and join in the glorious effort they were involved in. One particular friend was very disillusioned when he came home. I've lost track of him. I did blame the war mongers who got us into that morass just like that more recent warmongers who got us in more recent conflicts over nothing except their own greed and ignorance.
We are not on the eve of destruction, but we sure treat people like they are.
Ron
The Scripture, 'There is nothing new under the sun', like all other Scriptures, is Truth.
We lived in Florida in the mid-to-late '70s. The homeless vets were there then.. and they still are. We tried to help everyone we met.. but soon discovered, it is impossible to help everyone.. short of praying for the LORD to send in others who will do the same.
The wisdom of the LORD surely spoke to you, and it IS the only answer to the dilemma. Jesus Himself said we would always have the poor with us. It is to give those of us who serve Him the opportunity to represent Him to the world, and serve others in His name, for as it is written, 'Whatsoever we do for the least of these, we do for Him.'
May Father GOD abundantly bless your giving.. telling their story is a huge act of love! And may everyone who reads this, continue in your vein of agape love and service to others in the Christ's name.
Love you, so proud of you, Rv. Wilson! :)) Sis xo
I live in Florida and yes I know the need for veterans.
Yes, you were in touch with God for sure.
I was in the USAF for 24 yrs. during Vietnam.
When I got out I went to help a homeless cause.
I met a friend who use to work in the USAF.
He was one of the sharpest troops in the force.
I praised him for helping with the cause.
He looked at me and said, "No, I am on the other side of the fence."
He and his family were victims of the system.
He lost his job, then his car, his home and he was struggling to keep his family.
Yes, I helped all I could that day but I also better understood life.
We can help one person along the way every day.
Yes, we can give them a rise, feed them a meal, buy them clothes or simply pray for them along the way.
If all would do the same as you there soon would be no poverty and no misery.
In fact, the rewards you reap for helping your brothers and sisters multiply 100 fold.
So you said it well my friend, "Some still wore patches and tarnished medals from a war long ago. ‘Vietnam Vets they were with no place to go. Yet throngs of tourist all in fine dress just casually passed them by."
If we would just help one person every day and not pass by our heroes we will all prosper as one nation under God once again.
Amen