I was working at the REI a while ago and some guy came in asking about sleeping bags. As any good sales specialist I ask where he was going and what he would be doing, just so I can have an idea of the conditions he might experience while on his adventures. This is pretty standard interaction with customers for me.
He said that he needed it for training while in California but he would probably also use it for some backpacking while there as well. It turns out he was preparing to go to Afghanistan. His unit was called up and he would be heading out for some training then shipping off to fight in the infantry. This guy before long would be putting his life on the line in a foreign country for the sake of his country, wearing armor and an assault rifle and here he is asking my opinion on what a good sleeping bag would be for him.
He was a soft spoken humble guy, seemed pretty cool we talked sleeping bags and hiking conditions for a while and I sold him a bag, I don't even remember which one. I do remember walking away form the conversation feeling humbled. Here was a guy who before long would be on the front lines, and he wanted my input on a sleeping bag of all things.
I have never put my life on the line for anything. I have had things thrown at me, I have been made fun of and insulted, but as far as I know my life has never been on the line for something that I believe in. It makes me wonder, do I have it too easy?? In America I could be argued we try to avoid war whenever possible, but there are some places on earth where fighting is a way of life and people have never known anything else. Perhaps it is just that in living in a place where peace is the norm God would want me / us to leverage my / our peace for the sake of those who have not known peace. Perhaps speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves is the responsibility of those who have voice enough for the world to hear.
I don't know that soldiers name, but I have prayed for him, and I pray for us.
Just a Meandering Thought...
