Most of this letter was written prior to the horrific events of this last weekend. We felt it was a fitting word today when answers aren’t enough and words don’t suffice.
I have made a friend over the last years with the Catch. Her name is Kathy. She has experienced tough times, is fighting through to her faith, and is what I call a true seeker – she is searching for real answers. If you knew her like I have come to know her you would come to the same understanding that I have: This is a woman who is not going to stop for anyone or anything until she finds what she is looking for.
Still she has found enough sun to keep her attitude warm and in time to appreciate the rain, enough happiness to recognize the smallest of joys, enough gain to satisfy wanting, and enough loss to appreciate all that she possess. And as a military officer, she has found enough “Hellos” to get her through so many “Good-byes.”
But she still hasn’t found what she is looking for.
This woman has served our country, and I know you join me in acknowledging that we do not know what she has been up against, but we know that she is braver than most of us.
She has asked herself to do more under ridiculous circumstances than you or I would ever expect of ourselves. She has served to protect and defend. She acted. She performed. She has exceeded beyond what was expected of her. She has expectations too, that are simple enough, but which John and I must jump or stretch to even begin to attain; and she has one good, heart-stopping, probing question after another, and a real interest in real attempts to answer them. She is the number two son of the parable – the one who riles up at his father’s commands, but afterwards sees the sense of them and does them. While the number one son has all the right words, but never does anything.
Kathy is my hero. She is our hero. Yet she tells me – this military officer facing into her own acts of bravery and those of others who have served by her side – that my 13-year-old son is her hero! She believes that Chandler, like many heroes, has never been awarded a medal, ribbon or badge simply because his acts of personal heroism have gone undetected.
Yet she still hasn’t found what she is looking for.
So listen and learn with me from someone who still hasn’t found what she is looking for.
Kathy and Chandler have shared an invisible relationship over the years, gleaned primarily from the Catch daily writings. She writes that he keeps her grounded with his spunk, innocence and love for his family. She loves his fearless downhill skating, even after being injured. “He just makes me happy,” she writes. “I also love his child logic. He says it like it is without all the hoopla. I feel a connectedness to him that I can’t really explain. I just know that when John writes about Chandler in any capacity, my day is brightened because of the obvious love that is pouring out from all of you for all of us.”
What has this person found – who hasn’t yet made a nest in Christianity and who has traveled on and off the marked path? This person who ignores prescribed joys and safeties, and is perhaps more delighted with Chandler than she is with the baby Jesus? This person who is acquainted with declared war, walked right into it on purpose, as well as the undeclared war all around us – the one we feel so strongly about when it breaks in on our nightly news, when tragedy strikes and blood flows in streets and in elementary school classrooms not accustomed to these things?
She is the most valiantly Christward person I can think of with scars and pains to show for it. Though trembling in her unbelief, she is also drawn to the light like a newborn. I know, though I do not want to say, that Christ himself accepts her adoration in the person of Chandler and whomever else she delights to love. She must believe, because of the living water springing up in her. So many of the first lessons that are old and dull become clear to me whenever I hear from her – lessons from when Christ said where the kingdom of God was (not in the temple), and who God pays attention to, and the great difference between living each day He gives us and imagining the same perfect, sanctified day over and over again. She reminds me of Jesus like a bucket of cold water dashed in my face.
And why do I write you about her? Because she is heroic in her belief/unbelief, and God knows we need heroes right now.
But she still hasn’t found what she’s looking for, and who among us can say we have?
Love,
Marti
John Fischer The Catch 
Marti, You and John were made for each other. The wisdom and love that you both have for those lost is incredible. I pray your friend finds that well that from it flows the spring of life/a line from Paul Clark…yes those 20 6 to 7 year old kids are my heroes. Wow….the courage under fire that they had and to die so young…is beyond belief. But you and I both know where they are at now….in the arms of my and your Jesus/how can I write this without crying? I can’t. We need to be as Christ and bear the burdens of these families and your friend Kathy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, John, Chandler and the rest of your family. Give my love to John who I adore and have appreciated so much in my Christian walk. Thank you both for being there for the body of Christ and a suffering dying and lost World.
On Friday night my wife and I were watching a news story on the shootings in Connecticut when we saw something that I can only say is a work of God in the midst of tragedy. One of the victim’s fathers was being interviewed. His name is Robby Parker. He first talked about his daughter Emily, who was one of the victims. Then he spoke of the families of the other victims “our hearts and our prayers go out to you”. And then he said “This includes the family of the shooter. I can’t imagine how hard this experience must be for you. And I want you to know that our love and our support goes out to you as well.”
You can see the video here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50137203n The interview with Robby Parker starts around 18:30 and his comments regarding the families starts around 21:00.
“…..God knows we need heroes right now.”
A number of years ago there was a focus in the Canadian news broadcasts on our military men and women dying in Afghanistan. The emphasis was on the loss to family, place of residence and the country. Soldiers were dying constantly because it is a war. The emphasis was on the tragedy of death. We would see interviews of the fallen soldiers family and the conclusion was that the Canadian military should get out of Afghanistan. The deaths were in vain was the inference.
The groundswell by the Canadian public was to acknowledge the tragedy of their deaths and to question what they are doing over there. Guess what….the media sent reporters to interview the military personnel. We found out that the military was helping the Afghan people to build schools, to improve their corrupt government, to champion the cause of girls and women who the Afghanese religion does not allow to reach their God given potential. What struck me besides all these and other positive influences was that the soldiers when asked about putting their life on the line all gave similar answers.
First when you go into the military(in Canada it is volunteer) you realize that you may lose your life while fighting for your country and its freedom. These men and women were willing to sacrifice their lives willingly for us, Canadians, and for the Afghan people so they could provide a better life for both. That to me is being a hero! When pressed by the interviewer, the answer would be…..we knew that death was the greatest risk in joining the military but then that is why you join. You are willing to give your life so that others may have a better one.
These comments went like a stake into my heart. They willingly gave their lives for me, for their families, their country and the world. There was a calmness about the interviewed soldiers. A noble sense of purpose in their demeanor. A sense of why are you asking me this, don’t you understand, I am a solldier giving my life for my country that is my job, and I do it willingly.
These men and women interviewed I did not know, to my knowledge not believers in Jesus Christ,yet they captured the essence of the christian faith. They were willing to lay down their lives for you and me, people they did not know, just so that the world would be a better place. Christ gave his life so that the world would be a bettter place.
Am I willing to lay down my life for the cause of the Kingdom. My head says yes but my heart is not sure. These men and women’s hearts were sure. Now those are heroes. When we become christians are we willing to emulate Christ and if necessary give our lives for Jesus. These military people understood going in the risk to their lives and yet they went anyway. Are we willing to be heroes, because God knows we need heroes right now!
Hi Pastor John & Marti wanted to say I liked today’s Catch and thought I’d suggest a great book for Kathy to consider reading and maybe the both of you two will enjoy also: if the parable is the one i think you were reffering to: “She is the number two son of the parable – the one who riles up at his father’s commands, but afterwards sees the sense of them and does them. While the number one son has all the right words, but never does anything.” Is the one often called: “The prodigal son” Than a great book that was given to me by an old Pastor of mine: “The Prodigal God Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith” by Timothy Keller. I think Kathy may get a lot out of it, or anyone seeking a deeper walk w/ God.
Kathy sounds like she could be my soul sister. I am constantly searching. I seek because I do not feel what I have been conditioned to believe. I do not hear from God when I cry for guidance. (I cry out with no reply – Barlow Girls) I see so much beauty that I know he created in people and in nature. I keep repeating that God is in charge and has a perfect plan in hopes that if I say it enough I will really internalize it.