Tribute to Chuck Komppa

Sitting here in Fruita, CO enjoying the warm (64 degree) weather, I can't help but be amazed at how short life is and how wonderful God is for allowing us to live even this short time amongst our loved ones.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Chuck Komppa from Absarokee, Montana lived only 35 years with those whom he loved here on earth. Chuck was a family man with a wife, Delisa, and two children, 14 year old Alicia and 11 year old Gary.

I knew Chuck and his family for a brief time when they lived in Sebeka, Minnesota. Chuck, at the time a student at Wadena Tech., was a nephew of my good friend, Rebecca Komppa. As a homeschool mom of two, I was happy to share some books with Delisa when she started teaching young Alicia.

Soon they would move to Montana, but I would hear from Becky occasionally, and Chuck and Delisa would be happy and content in Montana. It was good to know another young family was making it through this journey called Life.

Chuck went to Iraq in September of this year. He was driving a Humvee on October 25 and was killed, along with four Marines, when the Humvee hit a device that exploded. In the words of Margaret Houlihan on a Christmas episode of MASH, "It never ceases to amaze me, one minute you're alive and then you're dead."

Chuck was laid to rest in Montana with a church full of family and friends in attendance last Saturday. He was remembered for the husband, father, son, grandson, nephew and friend that he was to so many people. He was also remembered for the true American Hero that he was and will always be in my heart. Thank you, Chuck, for the sacrifice that you so willingly made so that I and my family can live free.

My heart goes out to Chuck's family. My prayers go up to our Heavenly Father on their behalf.
May God grant them serenity and peace. May He wipe each tear from their eyes and comfort them.

Gracious Heavenly Father,
I lift up to you Chuck's family, Delisa, Alicia, and Gary. Wipe every tear from their eyes and, as they grieve, replace the sorrow with comfort, the sadness with happy memories of times with Chuck, and any confusion and anger with the complete peace that can only come from You. Father reach down from heaven and hold this family during the times when the darkness tries to envelope them. Enable them Father to look not at the tragic end of Chuck's life here on earth, but at his eternal rest with You.

Father, I lift up Chuck's extended family, his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and ask that You would not only comfort them, but enable them to be the earthly support that Delisa, Alicia, and Gary need to make it through the grieving process.

I would be remiss, Father, if I did not take this opportunity to ask for Your continued protection for all our military personnel serving overseas in harm's way. Let Your hand guide them on every mission and bring them home safely to those whom they love.

In the Name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
Amen

Today I am working on just being rested in Christ. What exactly does it mean to rest in Christ. While we have no definitive answer in the Bible, I believe that to rest in Christ is to leave earthly worries and cares at His feet, so to speak, and not bear the burdens of this world alone. This week has been worrisome. My husband and I own our own business in the oil and gas transportation industry. As anyone who has their own business can tell you, things are not always rosy. We have a couple of large invoices that should have been paid and that would have carried us through for a couple of months. They are late being paid and I have been guilty this week of worrying about them. This weekend I have decided that while I have to be diligent in contacting companies for payment, I also have to be careful not to bear this burden alone. I have, therefore, decided to do what I should have been doing this week and lay this financial concern at the feet of Jesus.

Father,
Forgive me of being guilty of worrying. I lay this concern at the feet of your Son, Jesus Christ and place my trust in Him to work on my behalf in this matter. Help me to remember daily that you are Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides. Help me also to remember that everything that I have is yours and all that I am is because of you. Thank you for faithfulness.