Joe's Petition
Through bombings and nightmarish fighting, through travel by air, sea and land, my 5 brothers were kept and all returned safely after World War II. I feel now that it was largely because of "Joe's Petition."
The envelope was old and brownish. It appeared to have been around a long time, probably handled a lot. I found it in an old family album and realized that it was over 45 years old. On the outside in long-gone-to-Glory Mother's handwriting, I read, "Joe's Petition." Inside that envelope was a single sheet of paper--so seemingly insignificant. But as I unfolded the sheet and looked at it, I was flooded with memories.
Sad ones...happy ones...thankful ones.
I soon realized that our family's destiny had been greatly determined by what I was looking at. I learned something valuable about the past and a lesson for now, for myself, and to pass on to you. From that one little sheet of paper, Joe's Petition.
How well I remember those years so long ago. World War II engulfed America. As a high schooler I saw my farmer friends and neighbors go into the armed forces, one by one. And I squelched the hurt as my own brothers left to protect our country. One, two, three, four and then five of them.
We were all proud of our nation and of our servicemen. It was exciting to have one of them home on furlough. I was proud to be seen with the sailor, the infantrymen, the dog trainer and the chaplain. They looked sharp in their neat uniforms. My brothers. And we loved taking them along to church. Rev. Peterson was always eagle-eyed in detecting a serviceman in the audience. His words of welcome to them warmed even my teen-age heart.
But then good-byes always followed. Our strong Scandinavian heritage didn't allow for a show of tears. We didn't even hug with a good-bye. Nobody did at that time. We just shook hands! But it meant a lot. I remember my heart aching for
-2-
Mom and Dad. I was always glad when our servicement left at night. Sleeping took away some of the pain and I sensed we all felt better in the morning.
Still, deep down inside, I knew we might not meet again.
One went to Germany, one to the Philippines, one to Hawaii with a Navy ship, and one to Japan. One was a dog-trainer in the United States. Years later we learned that our Aunt Alma had a dream at this time. She saw 5 airplanes go out, but only 4 come back. I can only imagine how she prayed. And her relief when the last "airplane"--the chaplain from Japan-- came roaring home. I feel now that their safe returns were largely because of "Joe's Petition."
My second oldest brother, Joe, wrote "Joe's Petition". He gave a resume' of the wartime situation and then wrote out Matthew 18:19 "That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
He went on, "I believe it would please the Lord if we join together and claim this promise...protection and safe return of each...but above all that Christ's purpose be accomplished in the lives of each of us." Joe suggested that we "acknowledge our approval, acceptance and claim of this promise with our signatures." And there they were--the signatures of Grandpa and Grandma, 6 uncles and aunts, Mother, Dad, my brother Ray and me. Twelve in all.
Looking back I can see that God answered the obvious: all 5 came home. And I believe He is still working on the second part: that His purposes be accomplished in each life. Ray and I were profoundly influenced by the lives of our returned brothers. Two of them guided us into further training, which eventually led Ray to becoming a missionary to Africa, and me to Japan. The chaplain, Clarence, resumed his pastorate. Joe, himself, before his death, spent many years in missionary work in India and Nepal.
Unusual blessing continues on the whole next generation. It reads like a prestigious Family Who's Who. There are dedicated and talented nurses, teachers, farmers, businessmen, musicians, housewives, missionaries, media personnel, writers and even an airplane pilot!
What would happen if families made pacts like this? Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, children and grandchildren verbalizing their faith in and claim of God's mighty promises? Why not try it? Surely we would see greater family unity and blessing if we had more..."Joe's Petitions."
The envelope was old and brownish. It appeared to have been around a long time, probably handled a lot. I found it in an old family album and realized that it was over 45 years old. On the outside in long-gone-to-Glory Mother's handwriting, I read, "Joe's Petition." Inside that envelope was a single sheet of paper--so seemingly insignificant. But as I unfolded the sheet and looked at it, I was flooded with memories.
Sad ones...happy ones...thankful ones.
I soon realized that our family's destiny had been greatly determined by what I was looking at. I learned something valuable about the past and a lesson for now, for myself, and to pass on to you. From that one little sheet of paper, Joe's Petition.
How well I remember those years so long ago. World War II engulfed America. As a high schooler I saw my farmer friends and neighbors go into the armed forces, one by one. And I squelched the hurt as my own brothers left to protect our country. One, two, three, four and then five of them.
We were all proud of our nation and of our servicemen. It was exciting to have one of them home on furlough. I was proud to be seen with the sailor, the infantrymen, the dog trainer and the chaplain. They looked sharp in their neat uniforms. My brothers. And we loved taking them along to church. Rev. Peterson was always eagle-eyed in detecting a serviceman in the audience. His words of welcome to them warmed even my teen-age heart.
But then good-byes always followed. Our strong Scandinavian heritage didn't allow for a show of tears. We didn't even hug with a good-bye. Nobody did at that time. We just shook hands! But it meant a lot. I remember my heart aching for
-2-
Mom and Dad. I was always glad when our servicement left at night. Sleeping took away some of the pain and I sensed we all felt better in the morning.
Still, deep down inside, I knew we might not meet again.
One went to Germany, one to the Philippines, one to Hawaii with a Navy ship, and one to Japan. One was a dog-trainer in the United States. Years later we learned that our Aunt Alma had a dream at this time. She saw 5 airplanes go out, but only 4 come back. I can only imagine how she prayed. And her relief when the last "airplane"--the chaplain from Japan-- came roaring home. I feel now that their safe returns were largely because of "Joe's Petition."
My second oldest brother, Joe, wrote "Joe's Petition". He gave a resume' of the wartime situation and then wrote out Matthew 18:19 "That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
He went on, "I believe it would please the Lord if we join together and claim this promise...protection and safe return of each...but above all that Christ's purpose be accomplished in the lives of each of us." Joe suggested that we "acknowledge our approval, acceptance and claim of this promise with our signatures." And there they were--the signatures of Grandpa and Grandma, 6 uncles and aunts, Mother, Dad, my brother Ray and me. Twelve in all.
Looking back I can see that God answered the obvious: all 5 came home. And I believe He is still working on the second part: that His purposes be accomplished in each life. Ray and I were profoundly influenced by the lives of our returned brothers. Two of them guided us into further training, which eventually led Ray to becoming a missionary to Africa, and me to Japan. The chaplain, Clarence, resumed his pastorate. Joe, himself, before his death, spent many years in missionary work in India and Nepal.
Unusual blessing continues on the whole next generation. It reads like a prestigious Family Who's Who. There are dedicated and talented nurses, teachers, farmers, businessmen, musicians, housewives, missionaries, media personnel, writers and even an airplane pilot!
What would happen if families made pacts like this? Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, children and grandchildren verbalizing their faith in and claim of God's mighty promises? Why not try it? Surely we would see greater family unity and blessing if we had more..."Joe's Petitions."
posted by Lila @ 12:20 PM
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