Major Dan Rooney served as Air National Guard pilot in the U.S army. In-between flights he was also a PGA golf professional. He seemed to be enjoying the best of life when a chance event jolted him to a different mission. A grieving family who lost their son, Brock Bucklin, in combat had come to the airport to receive his remains which was carried by the same commercial flight Major Rooney had flown that day. Among the family members was Brock’s four year-old son. Compassion gripped his heart and he decided to do more for families of wounded or slain soldiers. He later told his wife of that encounter: “I have a different mission in life now; I am sure a higher power is guiding me.” That led to Folds of Honour, a nonprofit dedicated to providing scholarships and other educational assistance to the spouses and children of veterans who are disabled or were killed in action.
Life takes on an even deeper and richer meaning when attention shifts from self to helping others.
Our opening meditation this year began on a note of leaving the ghost of battle behind. Sometimes people who have had scary experiences may not be able to disconnect from the past immediately or without assistance. Where you are not directly dealing with ghost of battle, you may find a mission in helping some other people deal with it. That’s what Rooney did. His organization has raised more than $70 million and awarded over 10,000 scholarships! In the context of our lead scripture for today, Rooney is spending his life seeking other people’s well-being. Life takes on an even deeper and richer meaning when attention shifts from self to helping others. By God’s leading and grace you can make a difference in people’s lives this year.