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From
the September, 2003 edition of The Chapel newsletter
by
Dan Bartow
The Empty Seat
Recently I had a chance to sit down and talk with my grandfather who was a tank driver in World War II. It was a great chance to hear his testimony about how God had kept him strong and faithful during the war. My grandfather has walked with the Lord for many years including many years before the war. As we were talking about how amazing God's plan for all of us is, he told me a story about how he came to know my grandmother.
Grandpa had just returned from the battle in the Philippines and had arrived at an Army base in Phoenix. While he was standing in line to board a bus to Southern California where he was to be stationed, a 'lovely young lady', as he put it, caught his eye standing at the front of the line. He watched her board, but as she disappeared into the bus he began talking with his buddy whom he was traveling with and sharing stories about the war. Just as soon as he had seen her he forgot about her and began to go about his business. After a short while he and his buddy were aboard the bus looking for a place to sit. As they made their way toward the back of the bus, my grandfather noticed an empty seat next to the pretty young girl he had watched board the bus. He passed the seat up and went to sit at the back of the bus with his friend, but sitting there he just could not help the nagging feeling that he wanted to go sit in that seat to meet this girl. Finally, he could not ignore the feeling any more, so he told his pal he would catch up with him later. He got up with his stuff and made his way to the front of the bus where the empty seat awaited. Sixty years before it was too overused he threw out the question... Is this seat taken?. Luckily for him it was not! He took his place next to the girl and before he knew it he was striking up a great friendship with this girl. When they reached their destination they traded addresses and got together that evening for dinner. The rest is history.
In retrospect my grandfather has always been amazed because there was so much on his mind that day. His thoughts lingered on his friends still left in battle, his family, the near future of his military career; yet he was drawn to that empty seat. Because of this he has wonderful children, a wonderful family, and a great testimony to share. God's plan, as always, is ever moving; sometimes God blesses us with the opportunity to see exactly how masterfully He set an entire part of history in motion with just an empty seat.
In
Christ,
Dan
Bartow
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