The last few days I’ve been thinking about a brave young man that I went to school with. I’ve recently discovered that in February of this year while overseas serving his country, his convoy was hit. From what I’ve read, it was three other soldiers in the vehicle with him and he is the only one that survived. It really is a remarkable story and it is very heart wrenching. Anytime I think about it, tears form in my eyes and I can’t stop praying for him and his family. He suffered several life altering injuries, one being the loss of both of his legs. I remember this gentleman…..I remember his sense of humor.  I remember how nice of a person he was. As a kid, I never knew what type of young man he would turn out to be. I never knew he was in the military or overseas. I never knew he had a family and children. I never knew until recently, the obstacles that he has been faced with. What inspires me about his journey; is the fact that through all of this…..he and his beautiful wife; continue to lean on God. His faith is keeping him strong.  He’s been quoted as saying he is blessed, that he knows that God spared his life for a reason…….that reason being to lead others to Christ. His family and friends have said that he hasn’t lost his sense of humor and it seems to me, he hasn’t lost his relationship with the one that’s keeping him through it all. If anything, this has made it stronger. I won’t share his name…… I don’t believe it’s my place to. I won’t share any more details about his story…..I’ve probably already shared too much. But I have to acknowledge that I think he’s a brave man, in more ways than one. Not only because he fought for his country, not only because he fought for his life and never gave up……but even with everything that he has faced, and will continue to face for the rest of his life……he continues to give God the Glory. What sacrifice, what an inspiration! I don’t know what it’s like to lose limbs like he did, or what it’s like to be born with out one, like my Mason was………but true conquerors, know, love and share the Gospel, despite it all. I want to instill this in my child. Despite it all…..a true champion will give God the Glory.

“Lord, please be with this family as they continue to lean on you. Through it all, through his journey (with you) let YOUR Glory be seen by others, that others may come to know you and turn their hearts completely towards yours. That they may become true conquerors just from hearing a champion’s story, and learning more about yours! ”