14 ~ Bill's Number Came Up

By Kay Heitsch

When we got married, the Vietnam War was on. Every night, they posted the numbers of the guys who needed to show up for a physical to be drafted into the army.

Bill had been working in the shop when he was seriously injured on the job. His back was thrown out of whack, and he could hardly walk. Bill had to quit this job.

We were not on good terms with Bill's family. His Dad was furious that Bill was not going to be a doctor. I was to blame, even though Bill had decided before I even knew about it.

Bill's Dad did not attend our wedding, and he advised other members not to attend either. Grandpa and Grandma Z heeded his demand. However, his father, brother, and family came, along with Bill's older sister.

That said, Bill decided to go up and see his Dad, since he was a doctor and could help with his back. His dad had X-rays taken, and they found out Bill had a birth defect.

Right after this, Bill's number came up! Now, Bill was armed with X-rays and medical records when he went down to take his physical. The army personnel took one look at the X-rays and medical reports and gave Bill a medical deferral.

Had Bill not been hurt on the job, which was not good, he would not have had these records and X-rays.

Take it for what you will, but I see God's hand in this situation, and this is another reason why I praise Him!

"Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done, so that people not yet born will praise Him." Psalm 102:18