There is a genuine sense...
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There is a genuine sense of celebration and appreciation for others in this passage. N. G. Barron, in his "Thursday Thoughts" (published in The Eufaula Tribune), told of an episode from his experience during the Second World War that underscored a sense of genuine appreciation for another person's life. While serving as chaplain on the Polish liner Batory in August of 1942, he recollected a worship service following which the participants ventured on deck to discover their ship to be alone and its convoy nowhere in sight. Because of the threat of U-boats, anxiety levels were high. The ship had experienced mechanical problems and was forced to make for Iceland without an escort. At the height of their distress, a single plane appeared to shepherd them to port. Since there is virtually no darkness during that time of year so far north, the single defender stayed with them constantly, a guide and friend. Once their vessel had reached the safety of a fjord the pilot returned to his airfield. Later the passengers learned that the pilot, Pete Kassos, fatigued from the long hours of duty, crashed and was killed with landing. The sailors and soldiers who relied on him for protection found themselves full of appreciation for the life of someone they'd never met, who quite literally sacrificed himself for them, a ship full of strangers. Christian appreciation for the lives of others flows out of our Easter appreciation for our Lord's life given for us.
-- Frye
-- Frye
