Promotions

It is a day to rejoice. All days are, but this morning, after a year of working on the WWII book about my 93 year old friend, Comer Hawkins, the e-book just was published on Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009WW8J0U) When I brought Comer the proof to review, he blinked back tears and couldn't speak for a moment. He flipped it over and read the back jacket about him, and with tears of joy, nodded at me. Then he slowly turned the pages, exclaiming, "Oh, there's Abo!" when he saw the picture of his WWII Aboriginal friend from Papua New Guinea where he served. He told me later when I called to see if he liked it, that he had read it three times already. And he remembered one more story he wanted me to add to it. So the publishing date was pushed back, and I added the story. The print book will be out soon, though I am not sure exactly when.

I hope the book sells and sells big. Like many in this economy of hope and change, we are struggling. But honestly, if I only sell the copies I myself buy to give to this wonderful hero of WWII whose efforts went largely unnoticed by all but the men he protected and commanded, it will be enough. If, after you read this book, you agree with me and my father that Comer deserves a medal and honorary promotion, please write to Senator Burr with that suggestion. I already have, just yesterday. I don't know if that is possible, but if you don't ask, you don't receive.

There are many heroes who live heroic lives doing heroic things that go unnoticed and seemingly unrewarded. The more I write books, and interview people, the more I realize that everyone has a story, and many people have stories of courage, selflessness, compassion, goodness, overcoming great obstacles, and living lives of love and faith. I wish I could write every story I encounter.

But at least I know that those stories are all read by the One to whom the stories matter the most. Our lives are open books before God, and He reads every word. And in the end, if we were not awarded a medal in life, we will receive something even better in Heaven. To all those who call upon His Name, the promotion to eternal life will not be honorary, but also not based on what we did in life. It will be based on what Jesus did, and our faith in that Gift. We will be promoted from mortal to immortal glory, seated in the presence of God, and the wars of this world will fade from our weary hearts.

John 12:44-50 (NIV)
Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. [47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”


-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org