Children of God
Carlos Quintana’s wounds left him speechless for six years. During the battle for Saipan a mortar fragment pierced his mouth, severed a major artery, and damaged the nerves controlling his tongue. He was hospitalized for the remainder of the war, eventually ending up in San Diego. Unable to eat or talk, his weight dropped to eighty-nine pounds, and he had to be fed intravenously. In spite of his suffering he maintained a positive attitude thanks to his strong belief in God. Using linguistic exercises he made slow progress in regaining movement of his tongue, and, after six years, recovered to a somewhat normal condition.
Carlos also recovered in his personal life. He married, had three children, and began working with young people. He helped found a youth center called Barrio Station, designed to keep kids off the streets of San Diego. He was driven to do something significant in service to others because he felt God had given him a new life after he had come so close to death. He knew that his calling was to help children: “The most important thing for all of us is our duty to educate, guide, and support our children because they represent the future of our country and the security of our freedom.” Besides, he said, “We’re all children of God.”374
I was once standing at a playground with a friend, looking on as our children played together. He turned to me and said, “I’ll bet God enjoys watching us have a good time, as much as we enjoy seeing our children play.” This was one of my most lasting insights into the loving nature of our heavenly Father. We are truly his children.
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
—Luke 11:13