I work the midnight shift at a VA Medical Center. When I leave in the morning by the emergency room door, there are always several veterans out there, taking a break, some of them smoking and some of them wasting some time before their appointments. As I went out today, I said hello to an old black veteran leaning on the railing. Given his age, I would wager that he was a Korea veteran. He was incredibly well-dressed in a dark peach colored suit and matching tie. So I said hello to him and he answered back with a smile. Then he started talking with me.
I was surprised with the sound of his voice. He had a mellow deep bass voice, of the type that one calls, “smooth as molasses.” And his accent was an old-fashioned southern accent of a type one rarely hears anymore. It was a rural accent, easily understandable, and well-educated. Somehow, he and I began talking about the Lord. And he told me some of his approach to keeping himself focused on the Lord, in that smooth slow voice of his.
He commented that one of the ways which he uses in order to forgive people who have angered him is to picture himself standing at the Final Judgment with Our Lord wearing the face of the offensive person. He helps poor people through his church, and he says that he also tries to imagine Our Lord wearing their faces. He says that this particularly helps when dealing with people from other ethnic backgrounds, whom he would normally look down upon.
Here is the odd thing. There are quite a few other people who would have gotten an inner groan from me if they had said what he said. Could you not just imagine one of the “touchy-feely” type of people saying in a bright chirpy voice, “Now let’s all imagine Jesus wearing the face of someone whom we have trouble forgiving.” But, coming from this gentle older veteran, it did not sound the least touchy-feely. Rather, it sounded as though it was part of his spiritual discipline to keep himself in the ways of the Lord. Coming from him, it certainly sounded like a bit of wisdom to help keep some people focused on God’s way. It may not work for everyone, but I thought I would pass it on.
Remember to keep the older veterans in your prayers. Keep an eye out for them. Have conversations with them. You might be surprised at what you hear.
Good story and good thoughts.
Some of the best wisdom I ever got in person was from vets of WWII and Korea, thanks for sharing. May they all be cared for and respected.
One of the things I miss most in retirement (retired VA nurse) is talking to the vets. When I first worked at the VA, I had the honor of meeting and talking to some of the few remaining Spanish-American war vets–and the WWI vets–who are gone now except in Blessed Memory–may their memories be eternal–as they are in the hearts of those who love freedom–now the WWII vets and Korea vetsare going including my father who died 4 years ago this past Sunday. Of course, “MY” vets are the Viet Nam vets and Desert Storm vets with whom I keep in touch especially the women vets through an email list. There are a whole new group of men and women who love this country enough to put their lives on the line for it. I love them all. ALix