THE MORAL OF THE STORY:Soldiers need our prayers and support

“Prayer is not the least but the most we can do for another human being.”

— Unknown

It was only a box — a white cardboard box, a box for mailing. But it carried such significance to me. The importance of the box grew as I caught glimpses of it as I drove with it on the passenger seat.

Typically when I mail packages, they are gifts or other important items sent to somebody I know. But this particular box was called a “Military Care Morale Package,” and those four words communicated volumes to me. I volunteered through a program at church to encourage a soldier by filling a care package with things he or she doesn’t have access to.

When I went to the market, I prayed that God would guide me to just the right things for the soldier who would receive my particular box. Among the items I bought were granola, power bars, coffee, candy, macaroni and cheese, razors, ChapStick, sunblock, pens, paper and a deck of cards. I included a picture of our family and wrote a note thanking my soldier and their family for their sacrifices, and said that my family and I were praying for them.

The next day, at my granddaughter’s gymnastics class, I met a woman who had three young children. I learned that her husband was stationed in Iraq. I thanked her for her family’s sacrifice, and asked if her husband would have liked the items I’d sent. She assured me he would and said they also love hand wipes because everything is so dirty and dusty there.

This Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. I urge you to pray for all those in the military and their loved ones. Pray also for all those making the decisions that affect our freedom.

Let’s do our part to support those who are doing so much for us.

And you can quote me on that.