The Brothers At Johnnie Mars

 

The Brothers At Johnnie Mars

Joshua 5

     Went in for lunch today at a Sioux City icon.  Sitting at the counter, I conversed with a vet.  He was going to the honorary Vietnam supper tonight.  He had his cap to prove it. I wore mine, a simple baseball cap with an American flag on it.  To his side sat another vet.  His cap also told a story.  Mine, just a plain old cap.

      Serving six years in the Air Force has meant nothing to me when comparing myself to those seeing combat.  I hesitate to say I served because I was medically discharged.  Someone recently told me not to discount it.  Everyone’s time looks different.  True, but a common thread links us.

     God’s army crossed the Jordan with Joshua in the lead.  A certain thing lacked.  A loose end that Moses never tied up.  All the children born in the wilderness wandering were never circumcised.  Hence, the first order of business was to validate the covenant once again.  Given the command, all of Israel were circumcised just west of the Jordan on the plains of Jericho.

     What a common bonding time!  All men were initiated into God’s army.  A sort of boot camp so to say.  From that point, all could look back at that shared time.  There was no age or tribe distinction.  All received the sign.

     Sitting at Johnnie Mars today, I felt included.  Right there at the counter with elders to my left.  Although my hat told no story, I was content to be amongst the brethren knowing the secret of my service.  And oh, by the way, the lunch with coffee was good.