The Wherefore and the Why of Things

The day my uncle Davy told my Papaw he was going to join the army during the conflict in Vietnam must have been one of numb horror for him. Having experienced the ugliness of war personally during World War 2, I can imagine that sending a child to war must have been at the top of his worst fears for his children.

Of course, my uncle would have been drafted anyway, but he wanted to go. When he was sent to Vietnam, Davy went as the leader of the 59th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog, or 59th IPSD. They were a dog-scout platoon whose mission was to provide support to units of the 11th Brigade as they fought the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army. The men and their dogs went before the platoons to detect ambushes, find booby traps, and locate enemy strongholds.

Eventually he rose in ranks until he became an officer who no longer went on patrol. One evening he chose to go out with the dog handlers leaving behind a new recruit who was still fairly inexperienced. This was the night that those unsuspecting feet walked into an ambush. An explosive device called a daisy chain was detonated. Round after round of explosions. Nine men were killed.

Uncle Davy was not among the dead that dark night, but he had received mortal injuries, and mercifully never regained consciousness. He died four days later. 

In the days following his death, my family sorrowed. Imagine their anguish to find an engagement ring among his things sent home from the army, a ring that could never be given. Imagine the young brother on whose shoulders fell the task of identifying Davy's body when it arrived home for burial. Imagine the questions as the story of that night unfolded. Why? Why did he go when he didn't have to? Why? 

Hard and heavy questions for which there are no answers. 

Even back when Jesus walked the earth, when men sorrowed, they sought  answers. Remember the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus? How they sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, but Jesus waited two days before going to him? And when he arrived both Mary and Martha begged to know why He had waited because He had arrived too late, Lazarus was dead. In those moments with the questions hanging between Him and the friends He loved, Jesus offered no explanation for the "why's'. But Jesus wept. 

In this broken world terrible things happen, and there is no explanation that can bring comfort when your arms are empty of your loved one, but know this: Jesus weeps. He is here for us, and He weeps with us. And while the "why's" hang heavy in the air, and no answers come, remember the hope you have in Eternity. When we get to heaven, there won't be any why's, only wonder at the One who has conquered death. 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:4

Beloved child of God, son and brother.
We will meet in Eternity.

*Read the whole story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus here. Much like Davy found new life in heaven upon His death, Lazarus also received new life when Jesus raised him from the dead.  

*This post was inspired by the message today at Graystone Church. Once it is available, I will post the link to the actual sermon, which was far better than anything I can write on here.