What Makes Today So Important?

For the most part, I have avoided politics on this blog because I just want to bring hope and help to parents. I want to encourage you in your families and let you know that I stand with you in prayer and I believe great things for our children individually and amazing things for our nation corporately. I think if you know anything about the Rebacks, it’s that we love America.

Today marks the beginning of the Republican National Convention. And although traditionally that might cause most of us to yawn or wonder really what is even the point of such a convention? What do they actually do? And why do we actually care? I am going to appeal to you on a different level.

Meet my friend Karen Vaughn. We “met” through twitter, then personally at an event for veterans. When I hugged her, we both sighed. It was an instant bond.

Her only son Aaron, gave his life for this country August 6, 2011 when his helicopter was shot down in what became the largest single loss of Naval Special Forces in one day. A Navy Seal, part of Seal Team six, the very tip of the spear when it comes to our nation’s defense forces, Aaron left behind a two year old and a newborn baby, two sisters, a host of loved ones including grandparents and beloved aunts uncles and friends…and his mother and father Karen and Billy Vaughn.

Their story, written in Betrayed: The Shocking True Story of  Extortion 17 as told by a Navy Seal’s Father, includes them GOING TO CHURCH only hours after they had heard the news of their son’s death. “We need to worship…” said Billy as he asked his wife if she wanted to go.  That’s the fabric of this family.

Look, the Vaughns  are the REAL DEAL. Karen and Billy have suffered the greatest loss a parent can face and come back swinging, fighting for freedom and speaking out against the atrocities of our VA system, our broken government and truly pushing the dialogue forward.  I’ve listened to politicians for years who have had no skin in the game. Their greatest contributions have been time in the congress or senate while they line their pockets, receive endless benefits, cut themselves tax breaks and out of health care systems they force the rest of us to swallow. Contrast that with  Karen and Billy who have paid for our freedom with the blood of their only son. They love the Lord. Their daughter Tara has built an incredible non-profit in honor of Aaron that serves children of fallen soldiers with a mentoring camp filled full of activities they would have learned from their fathers. No one is perfect, but in my eyes the Vaughns come dang close.

I’m asking you, no…begging you… Please tune in to the Republican National Convention today at 9:44 EST. And please keep their family in prayer and especially Karen as she gets up to speak. Pray for clarity. Pray for her message. Pray for her heart to come through and pray to Jesus that the convention goes smoothly and safely.

You may not be a Republican, and frankly, I just classify myself as a conservative anymore. But no matter your party affiliation, the Vaughn’s are needing their brothers and sisters in Christ to be praying for them today. I am calling on all of you to bend the knee and BELIEVE WITH ME! For such a time as this my friend, Karen… FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!!!!!