We couldn't have been more surprised. Our 20-year old son had joined the Army. My wife and I found out when his recruiting sergeant called to confirm a physical exam the next day. Christopher, a former art school student, had never been physically active or athletic. So his enlistment seemed very much out of character.
Things got sobering after basic training, when Chris was accepted into the Army's 82nd Airborne Division—an elite group of paratroopers known for being deployed quickly, often onto the front lines. I knew all about the division's reputation for being "the first ones in." Even when they're not in combat, the 82nd undergoes continual, often dangerous, training to ensure that they're in a constant state of readiness.
I realized pretty quickly that I needed to overcome the fear I was feeling about my son's safety. It seemed clear to me that if I accepted that Chris could be outside of God's love and protective care, the same would be true for his fellow soldiers. And I wanted to support Chris—and all the members of the US armed services—in every way I could.
