This account of an incident that really happened in the mid-west of the United States has been going the rounds on the internet for some time. It came to me from one of my staff, Cherry Castro Aquino. She played the actual conversation for me - the living words, the sobs, the obvious hearthbreak - on her computer.
Thirteen-year-old Logan Henderson lives on a ranch in Nebraska. Isolated from much of the world, he listens to KSBJ Christian Radio in Houston, Texas, which he picks up on Sky Angel. . . . . A Christian Television and Radio Channel which is delivered directly to homes, churches, businesses and ministries by Internet.
This is conversation on radio which Logan had with Mike Kankelfritz, one of the disc jockeys of KSBJ.
Logan: Hey, Mike, can I talk to you?
Mike: You bet, Logan. What’s up?
Logan: I want to tell you something that God just told me.
Mike: Okay.
Logan: Last night my Dad was roping this calf. . . . and this calf had
been born from a really old cow. She. . . she really doesn’t
have the greatest milk. . . . She didn’t have like the Vitamin
C and staff. (Sniffles)
Mike: Okay.
Logan: She broke her back. And this morning. . . . I went out and put her down myself. (TEARFULLY) I was talking to God and I was asking God: “Why?” She was special. . . . And God said. . . . “You know, Logan, My Son was special. . . . but he died for a purpose.” (SOBS) It’s kind of the same thing. That calf was close to me and God’s Son was close to Him.
Mike: Logan, you’re so right! It’s true. Think you’re going to be okay?
Logan: Yeah. . . .I’ll be fine. . . . but I just wanted to tell you guys that. . . that it’s so important. Just remember when you lose a loved one or a pet. . . .always remember that God gave His Son too, and He understands. He will always understand. . . .He will always. . . . just run to Him.
Mike: Logan, you’re wiser than you know, buddy.
Logan: Well, sometimes I don’t think I’m wise. Trust me, I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff. But I’ve learned from it.
Mike: Yeah, but you see, buddy, that’s what makes you wise. Somebody that learns from their mistakes.
Logan: Oh, I just figured I’d better call and share with you guys. . . Love you.
Mike: Love you too.
Logan: Bye.
Mike: Bye, bye.
* * *
Logan was invited to the station in Houston. In an interview there Logan said he’s living proof that God can use anybody.
“God can use you even when you feel. . . . when you feel low. . . and you feel: “Oh, God’s never gonna use me. . . .I’m just a piece of dirt.” He’ll actually use you. You’re not a piece of dirt to God. . . . To God, you’re worth more than gold.”
Logan loves life on the ranch. But Logan also loves to encourage people. His parents are in awe of what God is doing through their son. His Dad — also named Mike — says: “We knew he had a gift for communication, and we knew that he was very familiar with God’s Word. To see it come together like that is amazing.”
Our Lord, in the Gospel, thanked His Father for hiding some things from the wise and learned, and revealing them to mere children. . . Logan is one of those children.
But all children are fresh from the hands of God, and they know so many things — naturally, without being taught — that are beautiful and good . . . . wise with the wisdom of God.
They know the value of prayer. They know that they should be kind to everybody. They know that they should share whatever they have, that they should give, and not take. They know that they should love their parents, their brothers and sisters. . . . . that they should take care of the younger children in the family.
Whenever a child speaks, if you listen carefully, you learn! Because they are innocent, God speaks through them, to their hard-bitten elders. . . . When we grow older, sometimes we forget the beautiful truths we knew by heart when we were young.
* * *
There is a daily texting service called: “One Minute With God.”
You can reach it on Globe by texting: “Reuter@2978”
You can reach it on Smart by texting: “Reuter@326”