The Bible in my Ruck
It is midnight on the eve of war. The house is quiet. Everything that needed to be said has been. The new man of the house, our thirteen year old son Ben, has been given final instructions. My daughter Abby took things in stride and just kissed me good night. My youngest does not understand the concept of time and was impervious to the day. Our eldest insulated by college.
The last thing to be packed in my rucksack is my bible. Then, I lay holding my wife while she slept, or pretended too. Morning came, the deployment began, fears were conquered, nineteen months spent at war, the family grew strong, and we overcame.
Sometime in the early months I realized the mistake I made on the eve of war. The last thing I packed was not my bible, it was Bev's. Every few years she and I go shopping for bibles. So, our bible is always the same, except in the front of hers it says, "presented to Beverly Bjertness by Corey Bjertness". And in the front of mine it says "presented to Corey Bjertness by Beverly Bjertness". So, it was at the least an honest mistake.
Thus, in a moment, on the eve of war the two chief symbols of hope married together in an oversight, creating for me the perfect reminder of life. Two things have taken me to the other side of war - the love of a woman and the love of the word. Both have been tested through fire. Both have stood the test. Both have endured my sorrow and my joy. Both have been stronger than I.
What does the love a good woman and the faithfulness of God’s word get you? It gets you to the other side. It gets you to the place called hope in the midnight of your despair. It finds the island of peace in the sea of war. It finds the mountain of contentment on the plains of restlessness. It gets you to the other side.
When I look at the bible in my rucksack it is not a book, it’s a symbol. It is a symbol of God providing for my every need and then taking time to remind me of this very fact. Perhaps, pilfering Bev’s bible on the eve of war was not my oversight, but God’s foresight. God knew I would need the constant reminder of his presence and care in my life. Perhaps…I dare to hope in a God that cares about the little things.
"…for love is as strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can it be drown, nor purchased." Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Welcome Home.
Posted by: David M | July 15, 2007 at 05:35 AM
Today, at Sibley, I heard that you are out of Iraq. I want to thank Christ the Lord for this. I prayed for you (and for those he sent you to) every day and He has answered. May those who remain come home soon as well.
Posted by: Scott | July 15, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Beautiful post. There used to be a chapel at the old St. Mary's Hosp. in Mpls. which was named for a former disabled chaplain (Fr. Paschal Kelly). And the quote you mentioned from The Song of Songs by Solomon was on the wall. Even though the chapel is now used for non-denominational services, and the name changed, they still have the same quote on the wall. Now this Bible verse will remind me of all the sacrifices you and all our soldiers made for us.
Glad you're almost home. About 200 of our MN National Guard arrived home today and were reunited with their families and loved ones. So we're all mighty proud.
Our soldiers said that they were overwhelmed today and one of them even said he liked the high humidity! Judy
Posted by: Judy Schletty | July 16, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Beautiful post, as always. So good to hear from you.
Posted by: Kat in GA: A Soldiers' Angel | July 17, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Really a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing this with us. Glad you are on your way home.
Posted by: David | July 17, 2007 at 12:44 PM
thanks for the window into your life, I`m always looking and analyzing other christians on how to live a christian life.... so glad your home Chaplain. ...
Posted by: Nancy A Comparan | July 17, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Welcome home, I enjoy reading your thoughts. God bless.
Posted by: Canyon | July 23, 2007 at 06:40 PM
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Posted by: U Little | July 25, 2007 at 06:18 AM
My husband is in the Navy. We don't know what it's like to be a 'soldier's family' but we do know a little about being a 'military family.'
We have about a week left of our second deployment. It wasn't nineteen months... It was only three. But I've found your words here (and I am reading through the archives slowly--I have extra time you know) to be such a comfort. You've given me a chance to see the spiritual paralellels that this life offers. And I am so thankful.
I'm also so thankful for your service. Thank you for taking care of our guys. Thank you for going and doing all that you did.
Val
Posted by: Val | September 22, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Dear Pastor,
Just got another computer, so was happy to reread some of your blog entries again. I miss reading your little sermons. Not only did they help our soldiers, but us at home, too. If you have any other blog sites, be sure to let us know.
Hope you have a good holiday season! God bless you.
Judy Schletty
Chaplain Todd's nephew's girlfriend
Posted by: Judy Schletty | December 01, 2007 at 07:04 PM