We should look forward, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb 12:2). One of the measures God demands from each of his children is faithfulness. When God came for my father, Dad was faithfully plowing the fields of the Lord. May God find each one of us as faithful.

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62)

On September 9th, 2013, my father had a massive stroke. Seven days later, he went to be with the Lord.

My father’s passing has given me reason to spend time thinking about how God sees “the measure of a man.”

Hugh C. Whelchel, Jr., was one of the “Greatest Generation.” He lied about his age and joined the army at seventeen to serve in World War II. He shipped out to France as a private in the infantry and saw his first combat in the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle of the Bulge was not only the deadliest battle of the war; it was fought during one of the coldest winters Europe had seen in over 100 years. For a young man who grew up in central Florida, it must have been hell on earth. Yet he and his band of brothers forced the German army back.

As his regiment moved into Germany, my father was severely injured by a shell that hit the tank he and his platoon were riding. Most of the men were killed. My father spent over a year in the hospital, but eventually fully recovered.

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