…but he is still alive.

My wife and I received some news yesterday that was like an unsuspecting punch in the stomach.  My wife’s cousin, Andrew, who is stationed in Iraq was hit by a roadside bomb while driving a Humvee.  Andrew is alive but has lost both of his legs.  I am not sure how many people out are reading this but could you please pray for Andrew and his family.  Andrew has a long road ahead of him but he does have a loving family and friends that have stood beside him and always will.  Please also continue to pray for our troops still serving (as I am sure many of you have been doing already).  I have read and heard many news reports of people losing loved ones to this war or returning home injured (like Andrew), but I never thought it would hit this close to home.  Andrew was supposed to be home last month but his unit was extended by 120 days – this was not supposed to happen.

I think it would be easy to start blaming God or President Bush or someone – but I am not going to do that.  I am not going to start becoming political over this war.  I am not going to start shifting blame – Andrew doesn’t need that.  Andrew needs our prayers and support – he needs my prayers and support.  So that is what I am going to do.  Whether I agree with this war or not is not important right now.  Everything is in God’s hands and that is something I know Andrew understands as well.

Andrew’s former pastor wrote a blog entry about Andrew (something I read last night on a print out).  I am trying to find this piece so I can share it with you.  When I do, I will include a link for you to follow.  But what I can say is that Andrew is a guy who was very committed to what he was doing.  He was looking forward to coming home, but he loved being in the National Guard and serving his country.

Arguing over the merits of this war won’t give Andrew his legs back.  The only think I can say right now is, "Thank you, Andrew, for serving our country."  And like I said before, please pray for him and the thousands of others out there in harms way. 

God is in control – always has and always will be.  "Thank you God for sparing Andrew’s life." Praise be to God always and forever. Amen.
-edh-