Grace in the Storm (a continuing journey) Our church had the privilege of hosting the Welcome Home event for the Ohio National Guard 1191 Engineering Battalion. 153 soldiers were returning home after being deployed to Afghanistan. I was there when they departed for their mission. Husbands saying goodbye to their wives and kids. Wives saying goodbye to their husbands and kids. Parents saying goodbye to their children. Children saying goodbye to their parents. There was so much sadness that day…rivers of tears were shed as soldiers set out to serve their country. Last second hugs and kisses were given at the door of the buses carrying the soldiers to the airport. Young children cried as they were pried from the arms of a parent. That was a tough day for me…and I wasn’t sending anyone overseas. I was a bystander. A patriotic bystander. But I felt the heaviness in the air that day as loved ones were separated and faced with an uncertain future. The Welcome Home event stood in stark contrast to the Departure event. Tears of joy replaced tears of sadness. Shouts of excitement replaced cries of fear. Hugs of welcome replaced hugs of goodbyes. Smiles replaced frowns. Relief replaced anxiety. 153 soldiers departed. 153 soldiers returned home. When the returning soldiers arrived at the church building, they marched to the front of the auditorium to the cheers and waves of the crowd. Family members craned their necks looking for their returning son, daughter, spouse, mom or dad. Following the address of the Ohio National Guard’s General, a few words from political leaders and a comment from the Battalion Commander, the soldiers were dismissed to meet their families in the Atrium. I stood on the balcony overlooking the Atrium. I could feel the elation in the room. Laughter, hugs and kisses were everywhere as loved ones were reunited. It was a joyous sight. I’m glad we could host the event. I’m glad I could witness the sadness of the deployment turning into the joy of the homecoming. As I stood on the balcony, a beautiful picture emerged in my mind. Like the deployment of the soldiers to Afghanistan at the bidding of the United States government, Bev was deployed to heaven at the bidding of her King. Like the families didn’t want to let go of the soldiers, I wanted to hang on to Bev until I finally had to let go of her hand, turn and walk out of the room where her body lay. Bev’s departure reduced me tears and deep, deep heartache just as the deployment had done to the family members of each soldier. Then I pictured in my mind what it might look like when the King bids me to come home to heaven. I pictured the elation among the citizens of heaven like the elation I was witnessing in the Atrium. I pictured what it would be like to see Bev…to hug her…to hold her…to kiss her…to hear her say, “Welcome home,” as those in the Atrium were doing. Is this a little picture of heaven? Is this a little foretaste of what happens when a loved one goes home to heaven? Is there a big Welcome Home event for a Christian who has died? Are there hugs, kisses and celebration awaiting those who enter heaven? I don’t know…I simply don’t know. I’ve never been there before. But this was the picture in my mind…and I liked it. Until next time…
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 02:45:36 +0000
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