The Case of Butch O'Hare:

Butch O'Hare was a hero of World War II. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. One day, as his entire squadron headed out on a mission, he realized, much too late, that someone had forgotten to fill his fuel tank. Reluctantly, he was forced to drop out of formation and head back. As he returned, he spotted enemy fighters speeding their way toward the American fleet. Unable to reach his squadron, he couldn't warn them of the approaching danger, but he knew he had to divert the enemy from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of the enemy planes. Charging in with bullets blazing, his attack surprised one plane after another until at last most of them were rendered unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated enemy squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his own damaged fighter returned to the carrier. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military honors. Today, O'Hare airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

In Chicago of the 1920's lived a man called Easy Eddie, during a time when Al Capone owned the city. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was, however, notorious for his illegal activities. Easy Eddie was Al Capone's lawyer, and he was very good! His skill at legal maneuvering kept Capone out of jail. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well, so Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob, giving little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him. Eddie's soft spot, however, was his son. Eddie made sure that his boy had the best of everything. Eddie even tried to teach his son right from wrong. He wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things that Eddie couldn't give his son. A good example and a good name. And so, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. To be able to offer his son a good name, he had to rectify all of the wrong that he had done. He would tell the authorities the truth about Al Capone. In order to clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity, he decided to testify against the mob, knowing that the cost would be great. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. Easy Eddie's son was Butch O'Hare.²

Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, my past does not determine my worth in you. Your blood washed away all of the stains that hung over me. Now, in you, I am a new creature! My name is worth far more than rubies because I am a child of God! In Jesus' name, Amen.

1. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV).

2. www.sermoncentral.com - (From a sermon by Rich Anderson, How Important Is Your Name? 2/18/2011)

    

    

Today's Encounter was written by: Veronica B.