The Short Straw

Think About It The Short Straw
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Carl Chinn

Carl Chinn

Oct 21, 2023

This time of year is always a time of reflection for the Chinn family.

The reason October is so important to our family is, that Dad’s ship (the Aircraft Carrier, CVL-23, USS Princeton) was sunk on October 24^th, 1944 in the battle of Leyte Gulf during World War 2. 108 men on the carrier did not survive that day. Dad did, and we were raised to be grateful for God’s grace and provision in our lives by a Dad who had experienced it. My older brother fittingly named this time of year as “Passover” for our family. It feels like that every year.

There is no way I can tell the stories like Dad did, but he left searing impressions on me of that day and of experiences leading up to it. One experience has special meaning to me.

By the fall of 1944, life away from home in war had taken a toll on all the men aboard the ships. Princeton had been in 20 of the major battles of the Pacific, earning 9 Battle Stars. Each of those battles weighed on the men as did the constant threat of peril.

The War Department decided that fall, that sailors needed a morale boost. So, all hands were stopped to hear Princeton’s captain make an announcement. The Princeton was going to send 2 men (of about 1,500) home as headlines to confirm we were winning the war and thinning our troops. 3 men were qualified, so the final decision would be made by drawing straws. The short straw would not go home that day.

Dad was one of the three called to the Bridge to draw straws.

He knew he was the only Christian of the 3 and he had no doubt in his mind he was headed back to the Kansas farm. When he drew his straw however, it was so short it fell out of the Captain’s hand and hit the deck.

The other 2 men hooped and hollered, slapping each other on the back announcing, “We’re going home!” Dad found an empty space and cried his heart out.

Think About it

We sometimes tell ourselves that being a Christian comes with promises of “only good.” Being a Christian is not an exemption certificate for life’s hard lessons.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.[i]

[i] Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

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Lessons From the Farm (No. 1)

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7

This week’s TAI is written by FBSN Board Chairman, David Dixon. David has served 37 years in law enforcement, is a 40 year church staff member and started their security program in 1985 that he continues to manage today. I find his article to be spot on. As a grandparent of eleven with two more on the way, I have watched in amazement as our adult children packed up to leave the house with their kids for a trip or even just for dinner. They plan for every scenario they might face while away from the house: Snacks, drinks, bottles, diapers, changes of clothes, toys, tablets all make their way into a neatly packed backpack ready for the great adventure away from home. It is mind-boggling the amount of preparation young moms go through before they leave the house to head out with their kids in tow. Intuitively, these moms think ahead to what challenges might come their way and what “mom” tools they might need to solve the problems when they arise. It has been amazing to watch our three daughters and daughter-in-law produce the proper tool at just the right time when one of the kids goes into meltdown mode while away from the house. Think about it: Do we approach our duties as law enforcement and church security operators with the same amount of preparation as a mom leaving the house with her kids? Do we have all the tools in our toolbox when we head out to work the streets or to fulfill our duties at church? Preparation is the key to a successful shift in whatever area we might be working. And preparation goes far beyond just having the right equipment on our belts or in our backpacks. Have we prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the task the Lord has put in front of us? Does our training portfolio match the task that we are given to take on? Does our prayer life and walk with the Lord get us ready for the spiritual attacks that will come our way? Do our life experiences and emotional strength have us ready to walk in the deep waters we sometimes find ourselves? Are we physically fit enough to handle the role assigned to us? I believe being a young mom is a high calling, and I have watched with great joy the young moms in our family navigate raising kids. I also believe that law enforcement and church security is a high calling, one that I love accepting. Let’s step back and self-evaluate and make sure we are prepared when we leave the house to tackle this great endeavor of protecting God’s people.