Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ESCAPE (03/04/21)
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TITLE: His Search for Peace | Previous Challenge Entry
By Carolyn Ahrens
03/11/21 -
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What had triggered it this time? No matter the reason, this had become his reality ever since WWII.
He wasn’t alone in turning to liquor, hoping to find peace. Often he’d go to a VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) in the city he was based at, and drink with others that had been through war too. There, they felt safe talking about the memories that haunted them. Liquor was a way to escape. It made them numb. Together, they shared feelings and struggles they each had endured.
Charles was a teenager, never leaving the farm until joining the army. Being sent off to war in 1942, he was in a fight he couldn’t have imagined. He learned how to survive through the toughest of battles…he called it, “Out Running the Shot.” Charles came back home in 1946, having received the bronze star and 2 purple hearts. Both feet would have been amputated if not for a compassionate Colonel that gave him extra time for improvement.
Eventually, his feet got better, and was able to remain in the army. Even though his mind never escaped the horror he’d experienced during WWII, he decided to make a career in it.
Two wars later with thirty years of service, Charles retired. Civilian life didn’t bring him peace liked he’d hoped. He turned to liquor even more. He hid it in many rooms of the house, as well as in his vehicles and workshop.
As Charles had done before, he found the local VFW and became a regular with other veterans that were having the same issues. They were all just trying to find a way to escape the memories.
Nonstop drinking was turning Charles into an alcoholic. The whole family was concerned but he didn’t let up…he couldn’t. He needed peace from the memories that haunted him.
One of Charles’ sons was a preacher. He’d talked about Jesus to him many times. “Son,” Charles explained, “Jesus won’t save me. I’ve killed people in war. He won’t forgive me. That’s why I drink. It’s the only peace I can get.”
I wonder just how many veterans feel this way? How many others believe their sin is too deep for Jesus to forgive?
Throughout the years, Charles’ son told him that Jesus wanted him no matter what he’d done. Only confess and receive his forgiveness… he’d be saved. Charles couldn’t bring himself to believe it and the drinking grew worse. Family and friends said they’d never see the day that Charles would stop drinking.
One day, in his mid-fifties, there was a big family cookout. Before eating, he’d began to shake and needed a drink. He walked down behind the old barn so he wouldn’t be seen. Tugging in his jacket pocket, he pulled out a fifth of vodka. Turning up the bottle, he chugged it down drinking almost half…then another big swig. Before he could swallow it all, he began coughing and gasping for air…but the air wouldn’t come. Grabbing his throat and falling to the ground, he thought he’d surely die. Unable to speak, he screamed in his mind for Jesus to help him.
Within moments, Charles began to breathe freely once again. He knew he would have died if Jesus hadn’t heard him. Seeing that Jesus heeded his cry, maybe his son was right after all. Maybe Jesus would forgive him for what he had to do in the war.
Falling on his knees, he asked Jesus to forgive him and take over his life.
After decades of turning to alcohol for temporary peace, he finally had the true peace that only Jesus can give. On that day, Charles threw away his liquor and cigarettes…he didn’t need to escape anymore.
People thought he’d never stop drinking…he couldn’t do it, but with God all things are possible.
This was my daddy. Jesus did what Daddy thought wasn’t possible to do…to forgive him. He turned his life over to Jesus and never took another drink nor smoked.
Could there be anyone reading this story, who thinks their sin is too bad to be forgiven?
The bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Just ask him, and just like my daddy…you too can be saved.
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Good job.