The most treasured times with Josiah were in watching him interact with others and the time he set aside for me to share some thoughts and reflections. Here are little snippets of watching the character and spiritual aspects of my son:
- There was an anticipation that a Drill Sargent would walk into any public place we visited. Never really at ease unless behind a locked door. It is not really a bad attitude. God tells us to be ever vigilant and watchful. Do Drill Sargents have other lives?
- "Yes, Mam." "No, thank you, Sir." "Please, Mam." "Excuse me, Sir." The courtesy was well ingrained, natural, and respectful to ALL. As often as was reasonable, doors were opened or held open for others. These soldiers were just quite mindful of other people.
- Josiah wanted me to go to the Soldier's Chapel with him on Sunday but was willing to defer to me if I wanted to go someplace else. I loved going to a spot that has blessed him so much. By his initiative, Josiah escorted me into the chapel. Sadly, his favorite chaplain wasn't around but the service was a blessing and filled beyond capacity.
- Josiah said he had only one opportunity to go to a civilian place (hospital) while in Boot Camp and then he noticed that things were different--or maybe he was different. He was unsure how to explain it until we visited a food court in a mall. "Mom, it is like people are just kind of wandering. Everything we do in Boot Camp has a purpose and every minute is filled. In Civilian life there is more wandering."
- He shared with me the opportunities he has had to share Christ with others, of how he cannot initiate the conversation but he can answer any questions people ask about God. He has found it a stretching and reinforcing of his faith experience. He also felt the importance of being ready in season and out of season.
- Though there is little time to read or study the Word, he shared ways that God allowed him to meditate on His Word and His Character. Some of what they do in Boot Camp is tedious (marching for hours, cleaning, etc . . .) and he can pray during this time or meditate on God. When he was learning the correct breathing for distance running, he discovered that he could sing, "Our God is an Awesome God" for the correct cadence.
- My observation is that I saw in Josiah a seriousness and purposefulness that was not present before he left for Boot Camp. Yes, he can still have fun, but it was obvious that he tackled, with God's strength, things that were hard and he accomplished them. He stayed the course and, by his own admission, he has drawn closer to God.
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