The following is summarized and adapted from an account by Merlin Carothers published in his book: Prison to Praise.
This took place during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Ron is an American soldier stationed in the USA; He comes to see Merlin Carothers, his military chaplain:
- I'm being called to Vietnam, says Ron, and my wife, Sue, is completely devastated. She's even threatening to kill herself. I'm all she has in the world. She was adopted as a child and has no family.
- All right, says Merlin, come to my office, both of you.
When the three of them are together, Merlin opens his Bible to verse 28 of chapter 8 of Saint Paul's letter to the Romans and reads: “With those who love him, God himself makes everything work for their good.” He then says to the couple:
- We are going to kneel down and thank God.
Sue and Ron are stunned:
- How? Thank God when Sue is going to be left alone?
- We thank God because He works all things together for our good. Everything, even the most tragic events. Remember: Jesus' horrific death on the cross brought immense grace to Humanity. Not only did Jesus rise from the death, but his disciples, who had lost all hope, came back to life 100%.
Ron and Sue agree to kneel down. They make a vivid effort to fight their skepticism. And they give thanks because God is at work in this tragic situation and is bringing good out of it. Then Ron returns to his unit and Sue goes back to the waiting room. A soldier is there with whom she strikes up a conversation. He opens a file. There is a photo in it. Sue asks him:
- Who is this?
- It's my mother.
- No, it's my mother," Sue tells him. I was adopted when I was very young. I saw the adoption file. The same photo was in it.
Sue had just discovered a blood brother. And this was just a few minutes after giving thanks to God, who makes everything work together for our good. She was no longer alone in the world.
