My dad has been trying to get the garage door serviced for weeks now. The first time it was scheduled, the serviceman had to cancel as he had a sick child. So we rescheduled. My mom was in the hospital on the date of the second appointment, so we cancelled and rescheduled. The third time, the company called us back again apologizing that the serviceman had a sick child at home. Finally today, a young man showed up on time and completed the work. When he was finished, my dad and I tested everything out and my dad invited him in while he went to get his checkbook. I asked the young man if he was the one with the sick child. He said no, but his co-worker with the sick child was a single dad with 3 kids and going through a very hard time of it. He said the company was trying very hard to work with him as they did not want to let him go. He said he was going to visit him after work to see how he was doing. Then the young man noticed some of the beer steins that my parents collected. He asked if we had been in Germany. I told him we were there as my dad was in the military and stationed there. He was also in the military and stationed in Germany. My dad came into the room and they chatted a little about the military. The young man was so respectful and polite with his, “Yes, sir’s”. He was in the army and would go into the field and search for IED’s. He said he was hit 4 times – the first 2 times were not bad, the 3rd time he was unconscious for 20 minutes, the 4th time he was out for 2 hours. He decided he better stop after that before he was out for good. He said he wanted to be a police officer. My dad tried to deter him saying what a difficult and dangerous way to make a living. But the young man persisted. He said our country was in need of policemen especially now. Before he left, I thanked him for his service and encouraged him to pursue his passion and be one of the good cops. I suppose it is appropriate at this time to note that I am white and he was black. I intend to keep him and his single dad co-worker in my prayers.

I Found God today in an incredibly respectful, caring, and compassionate young man.