Because she is my friend.

 

Vietnam, August 1970

As dawn broke, sounds of automatic gunfire filled the air.  In the distance, a series of muffled “thuds” echoed down the valley as artillery batteries came to life.  Moments later, loud explosions rumbled across the fields.  When the fighting stopped, American infantry stumbled upon a building that had been hit by an artillery shell.  The building contained 13 frightened orphans, including one badly injured little girl.

The infantry immediately called for medical help.   A medic arrived at the scene and begin to administer aid to the little girl.  She was bleeding badly but would live if they could give her more blood.  The other 12 childred sat quietly in shock as they watched the doctor work on their friend.

The medic frantically sewed up the girls wounds as he tried to stop the river of blood spilling from her body.   In frustation, he turned to a fellow soldier that spoke broken Vietnamese.  He told the soldier to find a volunteer to transfuse blood to the little girl.

The soldier turned to the twelve children and asked for a volunteer to donate blood in order to save the little girl’s life.  The children broke eye contact and looked away.  The room was quiet.  A moment later, a 9 year boy sitting at the back of the room slowly raised his hand but then quickly dropped it.  He then raised his hand again.

The soldier went to the little boy and helped him up as the medic cleared a large table.  The little boy laid down next to the unconscience little girl as the medic began to insert a needle into his arm.  Tears flowed down the little boy’s cheek but he did not cry out.  A few moments later, the boy began to weep.

The medic asked the soldier to ask the boy if he was in pain.  He simply said, “no” but the boy began to weep uncontrollably.  The soldier ask the boy what was wrong.  He closed his eyes and said, “I don’t want to die.”  The soldier told the medic what the boy said.  The medic and soldier assured the little boy he was not going to die — that they were only going to use a little bit of his blood to save the little girl.  

After the girl was stable a helicopter arrived to take the girl to a field hospital.  The soldier, having laid his life on the line for his buddies many times, turned to the little boy and asked him why he was willing to give his life for the little girl’s life.  He simply said, “Because she is my friend.”     (Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved)

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The King of all Kings calls us his children.  He gave his son for each one of us.  Jesus paid the price.  Accept his Grace. 

Ephesians 2:8  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, thank you for your abundant Grace.   Grant us relief from the burdens we carry and remind us that we are saved by Faith through Grace.   Let us understand that Christ loves us so much that he laid down his life for us.   Let us not forget the mental anguish and physical suffering he endured, so that we might have everlasting life with our Father. 

- Amen