Never Alone

I read a pretty good book this weekend called "Code Talker" about the Navajos who used their native tongue to develop a code that was instrumental in getting messages through during WWII. Ned was the native that told the story of the code talkers and their top secret role in the war. Ned was never alone he always had someone who was watching out for him; two actually, making sure that this small Navajo soldier made it. Ned told of the Islands of Bougainville, Guam, Pavavu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. "Code Talker" would be a good read for anyone but is likely geared for a teenager.

Ned Begay had a very important mission, very few outside of top brass and the Navajo code talkers understood what was really at stake; the mission was vital and Ned could not do it alone. Someone had to cover him and make sure that if at all possible the mission was a success. No Ned could not do it alone. When he ran up the beach listening to men falling around him, his priority was the radio and the messages he transmitted, someone next to him was helping to dig the fox hole that they would seek shelter in until they could advance and do it all again.

Georgia Boy, was Ned's guardian angel. Georgia Boy was the one who grabbed Ned by the shoulder and shouted to run through the water and across the shore; the one with the shovel who dug the fox holes, and the one who tried to keep others minds off of the insanity of the battle by talking about baseball. When Georgia Boy was shot, Ned grabbed him and dragged him to a fox hole. People need each other. When we see an important job in progress and another man or woman is struggling to accomplish it, join in the fight.

There is an old Simon and Garfunkel song that says, "I am a rock, I am an island." We are not meant to do things alone; every man doing an important job needs someone who will grab him by the shoulder and yell, "run, I am right here with you."I see men working, doing, trying, and words are nice but seldom enough.

A little boy was getting ready to say his prayers and when he was done daddy turned out the lights. The boy "pleaded don't leave yet daddy", dad tried to help junior understand that Jesus was with him in the room and he had nothing to be afraid of. The little boy was quiet a few moments and said, "I need a Jesus with skin on." Words are wonderful but sometimes we need to pour some of our own flesh and blood into others and be a real brother.