*I pray that you see Jesus.........*

I went to church on Easter Sunday, and at first I was a little offended. My main pastor, who doesn't really preach at our campus anymore was back for this particular service; guess it was a special occasion. I dont really agree with some of his view points and opinions that come through in his sermons; him being a vietnam veteran and republican in the strongest form give us much to see differently on. He had made some remarks about Oprah and the upcoming election that didnt sit well with me, however, he told a story that truly changed my perspectives on a lot. Something i'd always thought about, but never found the words to put it down until now.....

He told of how back in the early 70s, he was volunteering in West Virginia with this group of people, mainly vets, all Christian, and they were helping organize some charity events for children, working with local churches. He had been working closely with a woman, in her 60s probably, and they had formed a close relationship-nothing like that, just one of mutual respect and company; she sharing he life lessons and wisdom, and he listening to ever word. One day, as they were about to wrap up planning for a certain event, he walked in with his uniform on, and sat down to discuss the final details. Before they had gotten far into the conversation, she said in a low voice starring him in the eyes..."You look just like him..."

He, knowing full well when someone changes subjects in the middle of something, there an important reason, so he, looking back at her replied, "well, may I ask, look like who?" she said "ya know, i had a hard time having him you know. The pregnancy was difficult, so he was our only child. But oh how healthy and strong he grew up to be. He was 6'3" tall, around 215Ilb. He played basketball and football, and was in the top of his class. Just an all around good kid, couldnt ask for more. When he graduated high school, he decided he wanted to join the army, so he did. and he did so well. He would always write letters to us, and even his grandma every week. We were all so close to him. After he finished his four years, he decided that wasnt enough, so he became a para-trooper, and in the top ranks of the air force. He still wrote up every day, and we got to see him once of twice. How nice he looked in his uniform. and then the letters started becoming shorter and shorter, and one after noon, when my husband and I went outside to leave for church,that car was in the drive way.

They said he wasnt dead, but he was badly wounded, and would be returning home. His father and I knew that he would need our full, around the clock care, so we transformed our home into a handicapped accessible place, just for him, building ramps, rails, removing doors, etc. His father quit his job; that was his only son, and he needed him, he needed us. So we went to the airport to pick him up, and when he stepped off that plane, I barely recognized him. His uniform hung off his body, and he was almost un-recognizable. But we were still so proud of him. We took him home and took care of him, spent time with him, and loved him every day. Bathing him, helping him dress himself, feed himself. We'd take him to see his grandmother, and drive him to the top of the hill were you can watch the sunset. One morning, while his father was runnig some bath water for him, my son wanted to be independent, test his strength and decided that he would try to take his clothes off and get ready on his own. and then we heard him fall to the ground,screaming in tears.....We had forgotten to remove one mirror on the back of a closet door. that was the first time he'd ever seen what he looked like. He cried and cried asking, how could they do this to me? how could they do this to me?

He seemed to lose all hope after that. He grew weaker. We tried to keep him uplifted, taking him to his grandmothers house and to the hill, but something was lost. until finally, one sunday evening, we took our son to the hill where the sunsets, for the last time......

He was my pride and joy, my only son. A wonderful man, loved the Lord, served his country, and I couldn't have asked for more. and when you walked through that door, with that uniform on, those creases in your pants, and those army metals on you chest; that gleam in your eyes, you looked just like him........"

And his question for the congregation was....."Who do you remind someone of?" when someone looks at you, who do they see?"......And I say, I pray that they see Jesus.....

"Just in case your world seems full of sorrow,

or you cant find the strength to give you best to tomorrow,

Just in case you feel like no one understands you, or knows you,

just in case you feel lost, wondering if anyone ever knew you,

Just in case you live your whole life, and you cant find the strength to count your victories for you constantly find yourself in the midst of a battle,

Just in case you better that your beliefs in better days have failed you, and you just want something to matter,

Just in case you make it someday, and achieve all of your dreams,

you find love in all the faces of those around you, and everyone you know believes,

Just in case sometime you forget to give thanks to the one who made it all possible,

Or maybe no ever told you how you could be saved, and Heaven doesnt seem logical,

just in case you feel you cant go on, and you used to the rain,

and no one ever told you how someone in the sky shares your pain,

Just in case you think no one cares, and you can't do it all alone,

and you have no idea that you destiny is reserved in a place you can call home,

.....I pray that you see Jesus........

When you look into my eyes I pray that you see Jesus.

If you never see me again, I pray that when you look at me, and know that something in me loves you, because I carry Jesus inside of me, and thats what you see.

I pray that my words bring you comfort, and hope, wisdom, and courage to do the impossible, think the inpossible, and believe the impossible, because you will feel that something about my smile, something about my stlye, somethig about my mild demeanor, and faith as a believer, seems so possible, because I pray that through me, you see Jesus.

...and even if I dont know you, if i've never met you a day in my life, I want you to know that I've thought about you. I'm thinking about you right now, as im writing this. Know that I pray for you, and that someone out there loves you, and believes in you, and I hope one day, whenever we cross paths, ......I pray that you see Jesus......