The Substance of Things Hoped For…
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I have always loved this definition of faith and find it compelling. There are many things around me that provide me of the substance of what I have hoped for, but the evidence of the unseen is all around us too. Spritually speaking I know the verse is pointing back to Christ. He was the substance of what the World needed and longed for, and we have faith today even though we do not see with our own eyes. It’s a definition that shows the irony of faith – substance and hope along with evidence and the unseen. Those are not things we normally put together.
What does this have to do with the military? I found the following article on DVIDS. I had faith that the military community would comfort one another, aid one another and would care for its own — I have seen this first hand and have witnessed the substance of things hoped for. Even though I am not there and did not see what was happening, I knew it was. The evidence of the unseen is easy because you hear about the strong tie of family that holds us and binds us together in the military. Service members and family alike. Families are taking care of young single soldiers while they convalesce, and they comfort one another while they grieve. That’s just a couple of examples:
Amid Tragedy, 20th Engineering Battalion Families, Soldiers Provide Utmost Care for Own
13th Public Affairs Detachment
Photo by Spc. Christopher Gaylord
Posted: 11.12.2009EXCERPT
Nov. 5 began and might have ended like any other day for Kanesha Howard, an Army spouse and mother of two. Instead, she found herself living a nightmare by midday, franticly wondering if she still had a husband.
Later, she learned Staff Sgt. Alvin Howard, a heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 20th Engineer Battalion, had been wounded in the massacre at Fort Hood while preparing with other troops for their upcoming deployment.
Since Thursday, Howard has mustered the strength to smile again.
Amid unimaginable frustration and destruction, Howard’s husband’s unit assured her that the Fort Hood community is one that never stops caring for its own, even in the most stressful of circumstances.
Several Soldiers and fellow Army spouses showed up at Howard’s home in Killeen Sunday afternoon under the strain of arms full of food and hot meals, ensuring Howard had everything she needed in the aftermath of tragedy. Similar efforts are being made for other members of the battalion affected by the catastrophe.
“We just want to make sure that the families and the Soldiers have food and everything they need, so they won’t have to worry about going and getting anything or trying to cook, and they can take care of their families,” said Sharon Floyd, the battalion’s Family Readiness Group support assistant.
Hours after the shooting, Floyd organized a care group and donations from other military units, churches and members of the community.
Lt. Col. Jason Kelly, deputy commander for the 36th Engineer Brigade, had every family readiness support assistant in the brigade in his office looking for ways to contribute.
“There is no more I could ask of anyone,” Kelly said. “People are looking for ways to help.”
Working tirelessly Sunday morning, the FRG spouses and several Soldiers diligently packed canned goods, snacks, bread, fruit and warm, homemade dishes into vans and trucks for Soldiers and their families living both on and off post.
Even families waiting by their Soldiers’ bedsides received surprise visits from the group. Their help expanded beyond preparing and delivering meals to helping care for children and ensuring families would have access to available resources.
“They have been more than helpful,” Pfc. Joseph Foster, a utility equipment repairer with the 20th Eng. Bn., said. “It’s like a giant family. We just get stronger.”
Foster was shot in the left hip and was released from the hospital Friday afternoon. Meals and child care assistance provided by the FRG and FRSAs has been invaluable to him, his wife and their two young children.
Single Soldiers are receiving baskets of food and movies during their convalescence.
“We are ensuring they are not forgotten,” Kelly said.
