Teamwork - standing in the gap

I was reminded today about an incident that happened over 30 years ago. The scene still causes a chill to trickle down my back. The year was 1980, and I was a K9 police officer in the Air Force. I was deployed to a Federal Reserve in the panhandle of Florida to serve as a peace-keeper for a camp of 10,000 refugees that came to the United States on a floatilla from Cuba to get away from Castro. On this particular day, there was a riot in the camp. It seemed as if all 10,000 of the refugees were pressed up against the 10 foot high chainlink fence at the main entrance. Our police force was only about 30 strong that day, and I was one of the 2 K9 officers. The commander sent me and my police dog to the front of the gate as the refugees began to shake the fence and start climbing. My job was to take "point", and my German Shepherd's job was to make sure nobody wanted to be the first over the fence. Was I concerned? Of course. However, as soon as I was in position, my teammembers filled in the gaps and we stood in unity to present a strong front line for the imminent battle.

Today someone else decided to stand in the gap with me in this cancer battle. His name is Jeremy Keck. He said that he was praying for me, but he didn't think that was enough. He said he wanted to do his very best in coming along side me and my family, and thought the best way to bring attention to this battle was to shave his head. "Its very much two fold for me. On the first hand, its a constant reminder to myself to pray and believe in your total and complete healing. Secondly, its an extremely visible, drastic change in my appearance that will spark the instant question of “Why?” with everyone I come in contact with. I will now be able to share your story and again pray for your complete and total healing."

Wow! talk about a teammate in battle standing in the gap - I am humbled and honored beyond words. Thank you Jeremy, it's great to know that family and friends are beside me as we seek the Lord in this battle. You are exemplifying the Apostle Paul’s direction to us in Galatians 6:2 and James 5:16.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

James 5:16 “…pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”