He Signed Upon the Line

The young man was training for the Navy Seals, but Life took a turn. He went to Basic.

The young man in my church pressed forward
training for the Navy seals.
An injury pulled him away from that goal
and made it rather hard to heal.

"I signed upon the line," he said,
"the training's toast and now I go."
Excelled he did in Basic Training,
and after that, career he'd know.

How many times by "fluke" or "chance"
defined we changes made to life?
Is it not possible to see
God's Hand in such an earthly strife?

The young man may yet find a day
when some event will need his skill.
Trajectory of life's dark change
puts him in place this need to fill.

Go forth, young friend, and serve to full
your country with your greatest might!
The day may yet show all that's done's
the victory, that sets things right!

Line count: 20
Branch: Navy
Nationality of service: United States of America

by Jay O’Toole
on July 18th, 2026