Another Unsung Hero Gone

Hi…remember me?
Sorry it’s been so long between posts, but over the last month or so, my family and I have been dealing with issues of life’s journey to death. Barbara’s dad died a couple of weeks back. This, of course, has been followed by the emotionally turbulent transition for her mom into this new chapter of life without her husband.

Barb’s father, Major Ralph Leidy, was one of the many outstanding, yet mostly unsung officers who quietly go about their mission of influencing lives for Christ without a lot of fanfare, flash, or hoopla. As I prepared to conduct his funeral, I learned that during their years as corps officers, the Leidys sent some 26 people(!) to Training (5 of who were even in attendance at his funeral!). And get this…every single one of those 26 kept their officer covenant and served right through to their own retirement! Quite a feat in this day where officership more and more resembles the “Hokey Pokey” dance – “you put your whole self in, you take your whole self out, you put your whole self in, and you shake it all about...”

Ralph’s commitment to finding those who are lost continued right up to his death. The Sunday before he died, the Clearwater Citadel Band came to his apartment and played him a mini concert (he was a life-long 2nd baritone player). As the band played, a number of neighbors and curious onlookers came out and gathered to listen, including a particular neighbor from across the street. When the band finished playing, this fellow came up to the bandmaster, pointed to my father-in-law and announced to those gathered, “This man has been trying to get me saved for years! And this (meaning the expression of love shown by the band as they played for Ralph) might just get it done!”

Nice…

I love the term we Salvationists use when one of our soldiers pass away: Promoted to Glory. Even as I type the words, I sense the strong but unwritten “hallelujah” that so often accompanies the phrase. One reason Promoted to Glory stands out for me is that there are a number of those among us who richly deserve various forms of earthly promotion who – for one reason or another – are overlooked or otherwise passed over. Maybe they didn’t stand out as much as so-and-so. Maybe the job they did never brought them anywhere near the limelight. Maybe all kinds of other possibilities… But God sees to this final promotion. And none of His faithful ones are ever overlooked. None of them passed over or forgotten.

So here’s to the passing of one of our quiet giants. While we’re still blessed to still have a number of others in our ranks who fit that description, my fear is that their number is silently dwindling as we focus on so much else around us.

Hey, I have an idea… Maybe each of us could step in and help take up the slack. Let’s do what we can – whatever that may be – to make a difference for Jesus right where we are!

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot…!

Willis