Knee Work
Jimmy Adcock was a medic serving with the 40th Infantry Division on Guadalcanal, New Britain, and the Philippines. He was awarded the Silver and Bronze Stars for heroism during these campaigns. During his time in the service he spent long hours shooting craps with his payday money on the floor of various sordid places, an activity that he jokingly referred to as “knee work.” Then one day a Lutheran chaplain who had gotten to know him said, “Jim, you could be on your knees praying for your needs. God will provide you information you’ll delight in the rest of your life.”378 Adcock was moved by the chaplain’s interest and began attending catechism classes. He eventually decided to make the “big move in (his) life,” accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior. In 1943 he was baptized and became a Christian.
Before landing in the Philippines, he wrote to his wife, Ramona, that, “We are one together by Him, even though physically we are apart. There will come the day when we will look back on these years that war has separated us, but we will do so lovingly and with thanks to Him that we are again together.”379
Jim Adcock was sustained by his new faith during the rest of the war, having confidence that he would eventually return to his wife so they could raise a family together. He did return home safely, and the couple eventually had three daughters. Jim would later comment: “I am proud to say all my children and grandchildren are baptized believers who are serving God with their time and talents.”380
It is amazing to contemplate the good done by one chaplain befriending an aimless soldier in wartime. He introduced him to Jesus Christ and a new kind of “knee work” that changed his life, gave him confidence in the future, and impacted future generations of his family.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
—Psalms 95:67