Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: PROMISE (09/02/21)
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TITLE: Three Promises | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mariane Holbrook
09/08/21 -
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As always, he wondered what his fiance was doing back in the States. With a six-hour time difference, he decided she was probably out shopping or cleaning the house of the older couple she worked for in exchange for room and board.
Jack had memorized every feature of her beautiful face before boarding the train which would carry him and dozens of other young men to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station located in North Chicago. Mary hadn't tried to hide her tears; she sobbed openly with her arms around Jack's neck, wondering if this would be the last time she saw him.
"Don't forget my promise, darling," he said loudly, desperately trying to be heard above the din and confusion of the large crowd at the train depot. "I promised you I would return and we'll be married as soon as I do."
Standing on the deck that night on the Mediterranean Sea, Jack remembered the other promise he had made; this one, to God. He had promised that no matter where he would be assigned or what he had to endure, he would hold fast to his Lord's hand.
The third promise, from God, was one the couple had selected together: Jeremiah 29:11.
After basic training, Jack was ordered to board a warship headed to the coast of Italy where the Allies had already lost several warships. He made friends with other Christian Navy men on board and soon was teaching a Bible class during their free time.
Often, he saw torpedoes flying overhead and heard the sounds of battle around him. One day the sailors were ordered to make camp on the shores at Sicily where Jack began to witness the deaths of some of his fellow servicemen.
The men built a make-shift mess hall and erected tents on the beaches in preparation for battle, but soon Jack and others were ordered to dismantle the mess hall. The wood was needed to make crude caskets for the many bodies that were stacked high.
The mosquitos kept the men awake at night and many contracted malaria. Sanitation became a major problem and many men gave up their tents to accommodate those who became ill.
Still, Jack gripped his faith firmly and led several men to faith in Christ before they succumbed to the tragedies of war. He was often called to the bedside of men who requested prayer or wanted the Bible read to them.
On several occasions, a dying serviceman dictated a note to Jack, asking him to deliver it to a loved one once the war ended. Jack kept every note and much later had them mailed to the intended recipient.
Mary, back in the States, had no information about Jack, where he was, or what his duties were. She scoured the newspapers but little was reported. Her prayers for Jack's safe-keeping increased as she learned of the deaths of local men who had died in battle.
At church, Mary taught a Sunday School class of teenagers who shared their fears with her. Some of the boys worried about being drafted after high school while the girls wondered what their role in the war would be.
Mary remembered Jack's promise and she prayed earnestly that he would return to her.
Jack kept posting letters to Mary all during the war in hopes that at least a few would reach her. He knew how anxious she was to hear from him.
Finally, a few weeks before the war ended, Mary received a notice from the war department that Jack was en route home due to a broken leg he received when a grenade exploded next to him. A side note stated that Jack was expected to make a full recovery.
A joyous reunion took place at the train depot from which Jack had earlier departed.
"I've kept my promise to you that I'd come home, darling, And I've kept my promise to God that I would hold onto my faith, no matter what. But most importantly, God has kept His promise to us: “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
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Non-fiction. God blessed their long marriage with seven children, one of whom was the author of this article.
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