Army Strong!

Every night we lay our weary heads on our pillows and pray God gives us another day.  Morning comes with the familiar rising of the sun and we start all over again.  Most of us plow through life, everyday looks like the one before.  Our lives have become settled in.  Nothing particular new and exciting on the horizon.  Tomorrow my 20-year old nephew Jack (we like to call him Jackie) will rise up from his familiar bed or couch at my in-laws home and leave for the U. S. Army. 

Jack is the oldest grandchild of 9 for my in-laws.  And we are a tight-knit group us Wenzel clan.  This will be a hard night tonight saying goodbye.  My two boys look up to Jackie, he's the cool older cousin who hunts and likes to fish.  He still likes to play video games with them.  Change is hard. 

I want to encourage him.  I have never been in the military but I was a military brat.  My dad was a lifer, 20 years USAF.  Tomorrow you will wake-up and leave home and for the first time have to find all that you need within yourself.  Tomorrow you are a man.  No one will there to take care of you.  Many will be praying for you.  Praying for you to succeed.  But you will have one person who will never leave you or forsake you and that's Jesus. 

He doesn't cost any money, He doesn't weigh anything (a small bible is great to bring though) and you can talk to Him anytime you want.  I imagine it will get lonely and hard at times.  There are many rooting for you!  This is going to be the first day of the rest of your life.  I pray it's just the beginning of great plans God has for you.

If your Uncle Jeff was here, he'd tell you to live life to the fullest.  Be adventurous.  Take risks.  Have fun.  Don't forget Jesus.  Make friends.  Don't give up.

I wanted to tell about some famous people who served in the military.  It's a noble and honorable quest you're taking on:

Bill Cosby --  Navy
Drew Carey -- USMC
Alan Alda -- Army
Johnny Carson -- Navy
Clint Eastwood -- Army
Rocky Marciano (Boxer) -- Army
Shaggy (Reggae, Pop Star) -- USMC
George Steinbrenner -- USAF
George Washington -- Union Navy (Civil War)
Chuck Norris -- USAF
Elvis Presley -- Army
Ice T -- Army
Sean Connery -- Royal Navy

Another piece of trivia...out of 44 U.S. Presidents only 16 did not serve in the military.  And after Franklin D. Roosevelt (#32) who couldn't join because he contacted the measles, all presidents after him served except Clinton and Obama.  Interesting.

You are joining the ranks with some pretty impressive people.  Truly noone is really great without Him.  Mostly I pray you will seek Jesus out because all the things you have found comfort in will be gone.  And Jesus has greater plans for your life, for all of our lives, than we could even dream of.  So I will leave you with this verse, one of my favorites.

     The Lord will guide you always;
     he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
     and will strengthen your frame.
     You will be like a well-watered garden,
     like a spring whose waters never fail.
                      Isaiah 58:11

These words are for all of us, to take risks, lose the comforts, seek Jesus regularly, be adventurous, don't give up so easily, don't get stuck in the mundane, be grateful for each day we have.  Every day is a gift from God!

See you tonight, Jackie!  I love you,  Aunt Reneene