A 4th of July Tribute: "Quiet Hero" by Rita Crosby

This last month I took the time to read, "Quiet Hero: Secrets From My Father's Past" by Rita Crosby. We had the joy of hearing her and her story at the Gaither Family Fest in Gatlinburg, TN over the Memorial Day Weekend. After purchasing the book and getting a chance to meet Rita personally, I started reading it.

The book retells the story of her Polish father and the secrets he has carried for many years about WWII. Those secrets destroyed Rita's family. In fact, there were years of bitterness that she carried against her father. Following her mother's death and the discovery of a very special suit case, she allows God to start a new work in her and through God's grace and a great deal of grace, she forgives her father and seeks to restore a father/daughter relationship that was in ruins.

While seeking to restore a relationship, she discovers the horrors that her father endured growing up in Poland prior to and during the German occupation. Scenes of dying neighbors, fighting in the resistance, and escaping through sewers are just a few nightmares that he "quietly" carried with him through the years. As the book unfolds, you see forgiveness, a restored relationship between a father and daughter, but every reader discovers a new appreciation for the freedoms we take for granted everyday.

The books ends on a very positive note. In fact, the last third of the book should be history reading in every classroom, much like the movie, "Shindler's List" should be watched by every history student. Today, we fear terrorism and personal wars, we have no concept of what atrocities can happen when war and hatred take a global scope. Rita and her dad get to restore many relationships and meet many new people when experiencing a new democracy in Poland. I highly recommend "Quiet Hero: Secrets From My Father's Past" by Rita Crosby.

The book also speaks to everyone that has a secret past of all levels. Rita took a big risk in seeking out her father and a restored relationship. We all have regrets and sorrows...and many of us have grief and horrors we carry. In the true servant attitude of Jesus and through His example, when we reach beyond ourselves and serve while seeking truth, relationships are restored...we take control of our griefs and horrors. The secrets we carry no longer have control over us.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Celebrate your freedoms today no matter what country you live in. Jesus died so that all who believe might have eternal life and no longer be slaves to sin. Happy Independence day and you know I love ya, Don