World War II, Stories of Faith and Courage by Larkin Spivey

Author:Larkin Spivey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
Publisher: Published by God and Country Press, an imprint of AMG Publishers
Published: 2010-02-04T16:00:00+00:00

July 12

Brownie’s Faith

The coast of England finally came into view, but they knew they weren’t going to make it. The B-17 was unable to hold its altitude on its one remaining engine, and settled ever closer to the waves below. Expecting to ditch at any moment, the crew assembled in the radio room and braced themselves for a crash landing. Each became lost in his own thoughts as they looked at each other and waited for the inevitable. One of the crewmen, Elmer Brown, started praying. George Hoyt, the radio operator, remained at his console, sending SOS signals in Morse code. Hoyt looked over at his praying friend for reassurance, and he was not disappointed:

Brownie’s faith shone as bright as the very sun itself. I remembered him giving me a smile as big as all outdoors. Out my window I saw the choppy and rough sea coming towards us, closer and closer, and I prayed fervently as I continued to beat out those SOS signals.274 Hoyt and others in the crew went on to describe an amazing peace that settled over the group in this tense moment: As we were waiting to hit the water, a complete calm came over us as if ‘all is well.’ A feeling of absolute calm, just like I was laying under a tree back on the farm…(I felt) a great calm take possession of me which language can’t describe. I experienced a peace that surpasses all imagination as I watched the whitecaps now flicking by under the wing… I called to Brownie and the boys, ‘This is it!’275

This smile for a friend in a moment of extreme stress is a strong witness to the power of faith. The faith of this one airman not only reassured him, but, when he let it show outwardly, brought peace to his friends as well. We should always look to our heavenly Father during times of stress with faith that he will hear our pleas. Then, we should also be ready to share a smile with a friend to bear witness to the reassuring power of our faith.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

—Matthew 5:16

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