Our son-in-law, Michael, is home at last. Early Monday morning he finally arrived back at Camp Pendleton to be reunited with his bride, Carissa. His deployment as a Marine in Afghanistan could have been worse, to be sure. He was not in a front line combat unit, which would have been more dangerous. He was able to come home after six months, which is better than some in the military have had. Many have had to be there for anywhere from seven months to a year and many have had to endure multiple tours of duty there. So yes, of course, it could have been more difficult, but it was still a miserable experience both for Michael and Carissa. The worst of it was that he was apart from his new bride. He was also away from all of his friends and family. He was in a location that was desolate, ugly and hot enough to serve as a stunt double for the place of eternal punishment. There was the constant danger of deadly attacks and the risk of being in a war zone. And he had to endure all that for no discernible purpose. His assigned role there would have had to improve significantly to rise to the level of being a joke.
For Michael it was an inexpressible joy to return home. He told Carissa as soon as they landed at an intermediate stop on the east coast he could feel the delight of seeing and even smelling America. It just got better from there. He is with his beloved bride and he is home where it is safe and beautiful. He has a whole new appreciation for the wonders of the place he lives. Of course for all who love him it has been an equal joy. We have had to restrain ourselves to keep from overwhelming Michael and Carissa. We are so happy to have him back home. No more concerns when we read of another battle or terrorist attack in Afghanistan. Michael is no longer in danger of being a victim. And he no longer has to suffer through long, lonely, empty days. We get to see him, to be with him and enjoy him. Wow this is a great week.
For Michael it was an inexpressible joy to return home. He told Carissa as soon as they landed at an intermediate stop on the east coast he could feel the delight of seeing and even smelling America. It just got better from there. He is with his beloved bride and he is home where it is safe and beautiful. He has a whole new appreciation for the wonders of the place he lives. Of course for all who love him it has been an equal joy. We have had to restrain ourselves to keep from overwhelming Michael and Carissa. We are so happy to have him back home. No more concerns when we read of another battle or terrorist attack in Afghanistan. Michael is no longer in danger of being a victim. And he no longer has to suffer through long, lonely, empty days. We get to see him, to be with him and enjoy him. Wow this is a great week.
I was awake early in the morning just after Michael got home, thanking God for answering our prayers and bringing him home safe. I reflected on the joy of his homecoming for him and for all who love him. For some reason it popped into my head that all of us who believe in Jesus are headed for an analogous experience some day. Philippians 3:20 says our citizenship is in heaven. 1 Peter 2:11 says we are “foreigners and aliens” in this world. Heaven is our home. This world is a combat zone according to Ephesians 6:10-12, where we are under constant attack. We suffer wounds that are sometimes severe. If that were not bad enough, this world is also a stark contrast with our beautiful home, for this world is cursed. Romans 8:22 says the whole creation is groaning under the blight that has occurred as a result of the Fall. If we could somehow compare this world with the beauty of heaven it would fare much worse in the comparison than does lovely downtown Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province when compared with coastal San Diego.
Yes, at some point all of us who love Jesus are going to go home. It was a big comfort to me to realize that day will be even better than Michael’s homecoming. We will be leaving a dangerous, violent, broken and often ugly world to go to a place whose beauty is unimaginable and overwhelming. We will experience peace and security such as we have never known. We will be reunited with people we love who will be joyfully celebrating our arrival, including Jesus Himself. As soon as we see the sights and smell the smells of heaven we will rejoice and think, “Yes! This is where I belong. It is where I have always belonged. I am home at last.”
In addition to just being a ridiculously happy occasion, Michael’s return has served as a little picture for me of the truth that Paul stated in Philippians 1:21 when he said that for him to die is gain. He went on in verse 23 to say that to depart and be with Christ is “better by far.” I just got a glimpse of what he means. Welcome home, Michael.
Yes, at some point all of us who love Jesus are going to go home. It was a big comfort to me to realize that day will be even better than Michael’s homecoming. We will be leaving a dangerous, violent, broken and often ugly world to go to a place whose beauty is unimaginable and overwhelming. We will experience peace and security such as we have never known. We will be reunited with people we love who will be joyfully celebrating our arrival, including Jesus Himself. As soon as we see the sights and smell the smells of heaven we will rejoice and think, “Yes! This is where I belong. It is where I have always belonged. I am home at last.”
In addition to just being a ridiculously happy occasion, Michael’s return has served as a little picture for me of the truth that Paul stated in Philippians 1:21 when he said that for him to die is gain. He went on in verse 23 to say that to depart and be with Christ is “better by far.” I just got a glimpse of what he means. Welcome home, Michael.
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