Every time I step out of that position, it might be the last time.
I make the Sign of the Cross before each patrol, a leap of faith, everything placed in the hands of the Almighty. Is this the patrol God destined to be my last? I don’t know. Nobody does.
What I do know is this: I step out wondering whether I deserve the day He’s given me. I am a wretched sinner and I know what I am before God. And yet here I stand, rifle in hand, asking Him to bring me home every single time, and you know what, He does.
That itself is the answer. Survival is not luck. It is not chance. Every morning God allows you to open your eyes is an act of mercy, and every act of mercy carries within it a calling. He is keeping you alive for a reason. No matter how far you’ve gone down the road of unrighteousness, no matter how far you think you’ve fallen, if God keeps you alive every single day, then you still have a destiny He wants you to fulfil. He has not finished with you yet.
Whatever that may look like.
Semper Fortis Amigo, one day at a time….
https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/a7233929-9bf6-49e7-a1a1-d6035b61e41d
You are so right! This reminded me of this. https://slbc.org/sermon/who-is-like-our-god-part-1/ and this https://slbc.org/sermon/who-is-like-our-god-part-2/. Both of these are very good! Thank you for your service!!