“Hey, Roberts,” Herb asked, biting down on his cigar, “I hear they almost shipped you guys to some tiny jungle in Asia…something about fighting the commies? What is that all about?”
“Turned out to be nuthin’ really. Apparently we have battleships off the coast of Viet Nam; I guess Uncle Sam is ticked because Communist China continues to move more and more weapons into that region. Course, they never told us why we should be concerned, only that we were on full alert. I had orders to keep my stuff packed and ready to pull out, right up ’til I mustered out. I’ve yet to hear from any of the guys in my division—if they’ve been deployed or not,” he explained as he leaned over the engine and scanned for signs of trouble.
The previous four years had transported Roberts hundreds of thousands of miles during his stint in the Marine Corp. His division received a citation naming them the most traveled division in the history of the Corp. He never imagined as a Marine that he’d pull an entire tour of duty aboard a Navy supply ship.
He couldn’t believe how time had flown. It seemed like only yesterday Jim Roberts had graduated high school on a warm day in 1959 when he and 82 of his ecstatic classmates poured from Berne Union’s school auditorium into the indescribable freedom known only to a high school graduate. It was more than a sense of completion—more like ‘shock release’ from prison.
Judy, the valedictorian, spoke of old friendships and new beginnings… but no one took her seriously—that kind of talk was for responsible adults, not these kids. She spoke of the future perhaps, but not that day. Wannabe-adults newly freed of homework and exams raced across the parking lot toward their graduation parties. Their flowing gowns gapped open and trailed behind them as unclaimed mortar boards sliced through the air like Frisbees.
Several days later, basking in the euphoria of that freedom, Jim and his three buddies found themselves with their right hands raised to the sky repeating after the Marine recruiter their solemn pledge to serve God and country.
That seemed like only yesterday to Jim. But now, his military career behind him, he silently worried that his passion for speed and independence had become an obsession.
It was Sunday evening in Sugar Grove and the “in crowd” had long ago dissolved into their homes. Barry had quietly packed it in for the evening and peddled off on his sister’s Schwinn. A tap on the horn signaled Herb’s goodbye as the old wrecker whined, bucked and clattered south on Main Street. He stood and watched its single taillight dim into the distance and suddenly realized he felt terribly alone.
Earlier that day, everyone who was anyone gathered at the drug store on the corner, sipping sodas and swapping lies. But now the silence of the evening cast in the eerie glow of neon left him feeling empty.
He enjoyed working for Herb and Wanda at the gas station, particularly since they had allowed him to convert the old storage room above the office into an apartment.
When he was still in the Marines he anxiously counted the days until he would return home and live his own life. But now, several months into his newfound freedom, he wasn’t happy even though he had a good job and even though his fantasy hot rod was finding its legs. He felt empty.
Jim experienced what each of us experience from time to time. We tend to look at our current situation and think, “If I only had…” The Bible wisely warns us about this tendency and reminds us that the only way we will be happy in the future is if we determine to be happy today.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words though recently beaten and imprisoned:
“I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.
I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13
Trust the Lord for your happiness. He’ll not disappoint you.
Read Ron’s column, Simple Faith, each Saturday on the Faith Page (page 3) of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, or visit www.lancastereaglegazette.com.