I saw this video on facebook the other day and it made me think of a shoulder tap I experienced
A few weeks ago I was at the VA Clinic which is actually on a Naval Base. The clinic is connected to the base hospital. The clinic itself is run by the VA. But if you need to get X-rays, or lab work done you go to the active duty side to get it done.
I had to get a few x-rays done. So I went up to the window to check in. The was a Navy Corpsman that was doing the check-ins. We had a small talk about my purse and celebrities.
After our chit-chat, I sat down and was probably on social media. I would occasionally look up at the window just to see if I was being called up. I noticed the Corpsman that checked me in was gathering his stuff and leaving. It was lunchtime so I figured he was going to lunch. He came out the door and was getting ready to pass me and I made contact. This is the amazing conversation that we had:
Corpsman: I am out processing I am PCSing
Me:(I was wondering why he was telling me this but I still engaged in the conversation) Oh where are you PCSing to?
Corpsman: Diego Garcia
Me: Oh where is that?
Corpsman: It is in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Me: Wow Have you enjoyed your time in Charleston
Corpsman: It’s been okay I am actually from a town not far from here.
Me: Oh that must have been good to be near home.
Corpsman: Not really. This was an emergency PCS. My wife had cancer so we were sent here.
Me: Oh wow I am so sorry
Corpsman: She died 3 years ago.
Me (this is the moment I realize this was a shoulder tap. I could see the pain in his eyes) I am so sorry. Are you doing okay?
Corpsman: No I am not. It has been really hard.
Me: I really encourage you to talk to people. It is not good to keep it to yourself. Will you have the resources at your next duty station?
Corpsman: Yea there will be resources but I really don’t want to see someone in the military.
Me: I understand that. Just make sure you are talking to someone.
Corpsman: I have a pastor from here that I am going to keep in contact with.
Me: Well that is good. Keep your head up. I will be praying for you.
(I stood up and we shook hands)
Corpsman: Thanks that means a lot.
I walked away from that conversation totally feeling like GOD orchestrated it. I was questioning in the beginning why this Corpsman was telling me this information. It did not take me long to realize that GOD knew that he needed some encouragement and that came from a veteran waiting to get some x-rays.
To GOD Be The GLORY
Take Care Much Love
