The Lie That Killed

[Born2BFree]

The Lie That Killed: (a true story)

As a civilian contractor, I once was given a military identity card with the rank of O-4 on it. I noted the rank and status as error and brought it to the attention of ship command. Their reply was that it was a small problem and since it was only a 'privilege' card, no harm was done. I was advised to keep it for the duration of my contract on board the ship.

I was disturbed by the presence of an 'error' on my official document. It was not true fact about me. Nevertheless, I did as I was advised. The ship was soon pierside at an island where I found a laundryroom where I could clean my clothing. While waiting for the machine to stew the threads, I resorted to the loo with a magazine and sat and read a while. I was the only one in the toilet, I thought. I soon heard a deep voice boom off the walls, "What are you doing?" I looked under the stall wall and could not see anyone's feet, so I continued to read my magazine. Again the voice demanded, "What ARE you doing?" I looked up into the face of a man looking down at me from over the stall wall. "Go away!" I demanded. He then flashed a badge at me and said he wanted to talk to me outside. "Okay! I will be out in a moment." I finished my business and went to the parking lot to speak with the man.

He stood closely to me and demanded that I provide my identity card. I told him I wanted to look at his badge again. He showed it to me and I saw it was a fireman's badge. "Why are you carrying a fireman's badge if you work for military police?" I asked. "I work for them too." he said. "What do you want from me?" I asked. "You know what I mean." he said as he gently pinched my nipple through my shirt. I was speechless with astonishment. He was soliciting me for sex!

I slowly pulled my identity card from my wallet and pushed it close to his face for him to see the O-4 rank. "Oh, my!" he said. "Yes!" I said. "You've been busted. You can go back to your office, Chief, and clean out your desk. Someone will be by to see you this afternoon."

I thought of all the young sailors he had compromised on the pier by imposing his authority to overwhelm their will to resist. Yes. I knew he had received an error and believed it to be the truth. I did not explain to him that it was an error on the card and I was not who he thought I was. I let him believe what he wanted and I left him standing in the middle of the parking lot with his conscience. I had no intention of filing a formal complaint of his dreadful conduct. I wanted him to think soberly about the consequences of his indescretions and his abuse of his authority. Had I complained to his superiors, no one would believe me anyway. I returned to the ship with my clean clothes and the next day the ship left for a three month cruise.

Three months later the ship was again pierside where I had done my laundry. Again I washed clothes and later that morning found a local breakfast bar and shared a table with a civil service worker and chatted over a meal. "Tell me about your firehouse here... I understand its quite good." He said, "Yes its the best! However, its quite sad about the suicide of our assistant fire chief three months ago..." I was speechless as he informed me about a man who was a church deacon and an award winning citizen, loved and respected by all...who was to take over the job of fire chief in a few short weeks. Without warning he had shot himself in the head while sitting in his office. His desk was empty as if he were about to leave suddenly. Investigation revealed no motive for the strange act."

I sat in silence as the man walked away. I thought about the man I spoke with. Had I known what he would do, I surely would have done what I could to stop him. However, the oddly cooincidental facts were too much to ignore. I grieved over his death, but acknowledged the role of God in it all. Justice comes to everyone in unexpected ways.

I was given a privilege card with rules for correct use. It erroneously stated I had more authority than I did. The fireman had a privilege card (badge) which he abused for sexual advantge of the basest kind. His betrayal of trust led to his death by a lie. He believed a lie and was 'damned' by it. Indeed, he was visited in his office that afternoon. The angel of death came for him as he sat and brooded about all he had lost because of his habitual indescretion. It used his hand and his gun.

God has His tools. I am glad I did not know the end result of my small role in the plan of God for this man. I pray for his family. Sin will take you farther than you will want to go. Say no to sin.... and live. Please, honor the role God gives to you and avoid an untimely end.

respectfully,

Born2BFree

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

Born, please understand this. If that person was you (the soldier with the incorrect ID), then please KNOW this...The Fire officer who was abusing the trust of other men, was doing wrong in the eyes of God.

HE made the decision to solicit, not YOU. HE made the decision to pull the trigger, NOT YOU. Althought you lied, you repented your sin. The fireman did not repent (or if he did, he nullified that by suicide) and died a sinners death.

I am sorry if I am mistaken in the identity of the O-4 Officer, but I thought you should understand that the death of the Fireofficer was NOT the direct fault of the O-4 officer.

Love,

YSIC

Faithie :hug:

[Born2BFree]

Thank you. The lie was the one in the heart of the fireman. I simply did my 'duty' as directed by chance (?), or God. I do not feel guilty as if I had killed the man... I did not. His 'death' began the first time he raped a sailor. The lie that killed was his own... he told himself that such indulgence was OK. That was the lie that led him to his grave. Thank you for your compassion. The family of the man never knew about his appetites and his error. It may be best they don't. A lot of years have passed since then.

[Leonard]

Interesting story......... Definitely a tale with fascinating ambiguity.

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

'Thank you. The lie was the one in the heart of the fireman. I simply did my 'duty' as directed by chance (?), or God. I do not feel guilty as if I had killed the man... I did not. His 'death' began the first time he raped a sailor. The lie that killed was his own... he told himself that such indulgence was OK. That was the lie that led him to his grave. Thank you for your compassion. The family of the man never knew about his appetites and his error. It may be best they don't. A lot of years have passed since then.'

Oh B2BF, I really feel a sense of pain surrounding this. (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((B2BF)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I have known enormous pain in my own life. I was raped by a male neighbour at age 4, and until recently (I am early 30's) I hadn't forgiven him. Just before I finally got done with it, I rang him up, introduced myself and reminded him of what he had done to me 28 years before. In shock, he hung up the phone. Do you know what? That really helped me get to a point where I could forgive him. If he had of killed himself the next day, or whenever, it would NOT have been my fault. I forgave him and although he had the wazoo scared out of him, my motive was that in reminding him of it, he may be repentant about it.

I truely feel that when a criminal repents of his or her crime, that healing is allowed in both the victim and criminals lives, and conversly the reverse is also true. Just my opinion. I may seem a little arrogant in assuming that this man had not already repented, but I feel that there is a peace about the victim that occurs only when the criminal has repented or has been dealt the Heavenly Justice. Does that make sense?

I pray for your peace B2BF.

:hug: Much love to you my brother :hug:

:il: YSIC :il:

:hug: Faithie :hug:

[Born2BFree]

Thank you. Those possessed of God are tools of God. What I write is posted for a specific somone for their benifit in righteousness. God my use YOU to point them to a saner choice. amen.

Blessings!