And a Child Will Lead Them

In my searching through things for last Sunday's sermon on the anniversary of 9/11, I came across an amazing story that may be the best example I have heard of in living out Matthew 5:43-48 (loving enemies, praying for those who persecute you).  In May of 1987 tensions were high in the Persian Gulf especially between Iraq and Iran.  This was before the Gulf War over the invasion of Kuwait.  The USS Stark was patrolling the gulf protecting our interests when it was hit by a missile fired from an Iraqi jet.  The pilot did not think the ship was an American vessel even though the crew of the Stark identified themselves by radio.  Thirty nine seamen were killed.

As the bodies were brought home, five year old John Kiser was seen in newspaper photos holding his hand over his heart as his father's coffin was transported.  His mom later said in an interview, "I don't have to mourn or wear black, because I know my husband is in heaven."  Later on, at the urging of young John, she sent a letter and an Arabic New Testament to the Iraqi pilot.  John guided the wording of the letter to say, "To the man who attacked the Stark, Dad's ship, in the hope that it will show that even the son and the wife do not hold any grudge and are at the same time praying for the one who took the life of our father."

That is a challenging example for us to follow.

For the journey...

Tim