Sometimes God speaks to us in ways we’d never anticipate and through people we’d never expect. The key is to keep our ears open and listen. Let me give you an example.
In
spring 1985 Army Sgt. Ron Howko was the NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in
charge) of the Radio Command Information Office at the American Forces
Network-Europe headquarters in Frankfurt, West Germany. In civilian terms that
meant he was my supervisor.
Some
background. Ron Howko had an unquenchable thirst for outdoor adventure. You
name the sport, he not only played it, he excelled at it. Skiing – he was a certified
member of the National Ski Patrol. Bicycling – he rode with a German club every
Sunday. If you put together a three-day mountain climbing trip he’d be the
first to sign up. The guy never sat still, and he had a fabulous sense of
humor.
In
short, he loved life and welcomed all the challenges it could provide. I think
that love of adventure, and numerous brushes with serious injury and death, gave
him a solid sense of what issues to sweat and what issues to let slide away
like water off a duck’s back.
That
became clear to me one afternoon as I approached his desk. I was in a tizzy
about some problem I had. “Sgt. Howko,” I said as I stood in front of his
institutional green, U.S. government-issued metal desk, where he was busy
working on a mountain of paperwork. “I have a problem…”
Without
hesitating, Howko, dropped his pen, looked up at me and threw up his hand like
a cop stopping traffic. He cut me off in mid-sentence.
A
benevolent smile spread across his face as he said, “Stop right there Airman.
Obviously you’re confused.”
I
paused, letting his comment sink in. Now I truly was confused. “Ok, Sgt. Howko,
how am I confused?”
He
continued, “You see Airman, you’re confused because you said you had a problem.
Now problems go to God. Situations go to sergeants. Because you’re
standing in front of me you must have a situation
on your hands. I’m here to help. What’s your situation?”
For
the life of me I can’t remember what my situation was. But more than 30 years
later I remember that moment, and that insight, like it was yesterday.
Howko
was right. Situations do indeed go to sergeants. That’s something I tried to
remember every day when I became a sergeant. But more importantly, I took to
heart the bigger lesson he was trying to teach me – don’t sweat the little
stuff. And when the big stuff does happen, take it to God, that’s what he’s
there for.
Sgt.
Howko, thanks for setting me straight. God bless you.
###
U.S. Army Master Sgt. (retired) Ron Howko today.
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