"Four-year-old Paige Bennethum really, really didn’t want her daddy to go to Iraq. So much so, that when Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum lined up in formation at his deployment this July, she couldn’t let go. No one had the heart to pull her away."

This is such a moving image. Little girl... makes one really have compassion for her. Her innocence, tender age, downcast face... ohhh how soft must her hand have felt to her father during those moments...

Inasmuch as we'd like to harp on the plight of the girl, I feel that people often miss out on the heart of the father. Why does he choose to go to war despite his daughter's reluctance? I'm sure his wife and other family members aren't any happier about it.

As a boy, I've always wanted to be a hero. But as I grew older, I realised the "naive" notion of being a policeman or firefighter doesn't quite fit the expectations of our parents, teachers, and society in general. What comes after doing well is school is university, degree, and a good job - the sit-in-office kind, which comes with a good salary, comfort, and a bright prospect. And as a young boy, I learnt to separate my dreams about being noble and labeled them as just "dreams" and desired the more "practical goals" in life - all the money, stability, comfort, pleasures and lies.

While I was in army, it ever so often crossed my mind to volunteer to go to Iraq or Afghanistan or something. Can't remember whether I brought it up to my superiors though. What I'm really sure of, nonetheless, is that God has placed dreams in young boys to grow up one day to protect what is weak, feable and beautiful - these are the treasures of God.

I have long thought of how I wanted to die, and I concluded with the follwing:
1. as a matyr on the mission field, like getting beheaded for spreading the Gospel or something
2. while saving someone else's life (someone close to my heart)
3. or while defending my country.

Suddenly, the boyish dream kicks in again, and something stirs up in my heart. I want to live up to that dream. Maybe after getting my degree, I'll sign on as an army officer and volunteer for Iraq/Afghanistan.

That father had a dream. His nation was at war, and he decided that he couldn't continue in his "stable" livelihood and not do anything about it. Many of his fellow citizens have slammed the war, criticised Presidents Bush and Obama about it, and made such a big hooha about how it has cost America so much money and lives. They may have a point. But, as for this man, it doesn't change the fact that at this moment, his country needs as much support as she can get. So he volunteers. It hurts his family. It definitely hurts his lovely little girl. But, as is the basis of all history-making decisions, it simply is the right thing to do.

its amazing how God's Word transforms my life. totally.

cute(: haha!