The Cricket |
One of the veterans came around the corner near the glider
exhibit, pulled a brass object out of his pocket, and began clicking it. We asked, “What is that?” The veteran replied, “It’s a cricket.” When we didn’t know what he was talking
about, he began to explain. This
gentleman was in the 101st Airborne and he parachuted into Normandy
in the early morning hours of the D-Day invasion.
A real lifesaver |
Military commanders knew that when they landed the paratroopers would be
amongst the enemy. The American soldiers
knew that they had to assemble with other American soldiers and complete the
mission when on the ground. But
how? How could you tell if you were
among friends or enemies? The
paratroopers would be landing sometimes on top of the enemy. Germans were everywhere! Enter the Cricket. The cricket was a toy that was actually
originally given as a toy in Cracker Jack boxes. When pressed, it makes a loud “cricking”
noise – hence named the cricket.
"Crick" |
The
veteran explained to us that upon encountering another individual in the dark, pre-dawn hours, the American
paratrooper would click on his cricket one time. If the person clicked back on their own cricket, you knew that you
had found another American soldier. If
the person didn’t click back, you shot him.
I asked the veteran, “What happened if you lost your cricket?” He answered, “Oh, you didn’t lose your
cricket!” It is very interesting when
you think about the fact that a children’s toy helped ensure that the D-Day
Invasion was successful.
Answer: "Crick!" |
As
with many things in normal everyday life, this little story about the cricket
has a spiritual application as well. As
Christians in an increasingly secular world, we find ourselves “behind enemy lines.” Many people are antagonistic toward people of
faith and religious liberty is being threatened. The Bible even tells us that we will be
persecuted for our faith. So how are
Christians to know if they are amongst other Christians? Is there such a thing as a “Christian
Cricket?” Of there is!
Jesus, in the Gospel of John, chapter 13, verses 34-35 said
the following:
”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
And there you have it – the Christian Cricket! We are to Love One Another! All men will know that we are believers by
the love that we show each other. Don’t
lose your cricket!
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