Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

“I Will!” Column for the week of April 13-19, 2003

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The war against Saddam Hussein proceeds and victory for our troops does seem imminent. Americans who were undecided on how they felt about this war are now climbing down off the fence on the side of Bush. Maybe he did a good thing after all? Maybe the Iraqis did want to be liberated? Even the media doesn’t seem quite as biased.

It kind of reminds me of the children’s story of the Little Red Hen. You remember the Little Red Hen wanted to make some bread so she asked who would help her plant the wheat? “Not I,” said the Pig. “Not I,” said the Cat. “Not I,” said the Cow. She asked, “Who will help me harvest the wheat?” “Not I,” said the Pig. “Not I,” said the Cat. “Not I,” said the Cow. She asked, “Who will help me thrash the wheat? Grind the wheat into flour? Bake the bread?” The answers were always, “Not I!” But after the bread was baked she asked, “Who will help me eat the bread?” “I will! I will!” said everyone!

This war is the same way. Just substitute President Bush for the Little Red Hen. “Who will help me liberate the Iraqis? Who will help me rid the world of terrorist, Saddam Hussein? Who will support me in fighting this war?” Lots of people said, “Not I!” But who will be proud to be an American after the fighting is done. “I will! I will!”

Of course, winning is just the beginning. The recovery and reorganization for Iraq will not be easy and will take time. There will have to be a mass reconstruction effort, along with security and civil administrations set up. Who wants to help create a new Iraq? And the UN said, “I will! I will!”

Meanwhile 19-year-old POW Jessica Lynch is coming home amid shouts of joy. Almost a poster child for this war, her survival and recovery are miraculous. She has made steady progress even though her arm and both legs were broken; she had a head wound and spinal injuries. She’ll be recuperating at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Of course you will be able to view all the details yourself when the TV movie comes out. Will there be a movie? Is there ever NOT a movie? Will we watch? Probably. Inquiring minds want to know.

One can’t help but wonder if God didn’t use Jessica’s survival in some way to rally a more positive feeling for what we are doing in Iraq. It is quite moving to see one so young willing to lay down her life for her country. When called to fight she said, “I will!”

This week will mark the anniversary of another who was willing to lay down his life. In fact he did. Christ emptied himself of his divinity to come to earth, to live and walk among us, to die for our sins. I’m not sure we can fathom his sacrifice or what it truly means. God’s only begotten son willingly came into the world so those who believe on him should not perish but have life. (John 3:16-18) His death and resurrection were part of that plan. He wasn’t forced to give up his life but willingly gave it up for you and me. When asked, “Who will die so mankind can live?” He said, “I will!”

©April 2003

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