On any given day of the week, more than 100 soldiers come through DFW Airport on their way home for two weeks of long awaited R & R. Under that program, American soldiers receive these little vacations from stressful and risky war tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thirty-five years ago most veterans came home from the nightmare of Vietnam, only to be spit on by a Jane Fonda fan. Most passed through crowds of people that wouldn’t even look them in the eye, much less acknowledge their selfless service.
This aint the seventies and this aint the people’s republic of Berkley. The Brewer tips his glorious hat to DFW Airport for hosting a program called “Welcome Home a Hero”. It’s a thoughtful and selfless outreach where volunteers celebrate these men and women as they come through the customs door. They give them hugs, pats on the back, throw babies in the air and take lots of pictures.
They tell these jaw dropped soldiers that they are proud of them and that they appreciate them. The impact it makes is a life long one not just for the military but also for their kids and family looking on.
You don’t have to agree with the war against terrorism to agree it is incredible folks who will go out of their way to encourage someone during a perilous time in their life. Homecomings are so important.
Going home
Some of my favorite memories are from seeing my family after a long trip overseas. Last July I spent the month in India and when I finally made it back to DFW my bride, four kids and lots of friends from my church were there at midnight to tell me they loved me. I tried so hard not to bawl and squall. It was a great day to be alive.
When I think of homecomings though, I just can’t help but think about Heaven. I have had the privilege of preaching some funerals for very close friends and to me they were something like a home going. I don’t think Heaven is the place you go to after you leave home. I think heaven is the home you go to after you leave this place.
When you get home from a long hard day, the bad things don’t really matter because your home after all. I think heaven is like that.
Almost There
About 100 years ago there was a missionary by the name of Samuel Morrison. Samuel spent the last 25 years of his life as a medical missionary in the darkest regions of Africa. When he came down with a terminal illness, he decided to go back to the United States to die and it just so happened he traveled on the same ocean liner that brought President Teddy Roosevelt back from his famous hunting expedition.
When that great ship pulled into New York harbor it looked like the entire population of America showed up to greet the president. Bands were playing, banners were waving, choirs were singing, balloons were flying, flashbulbs were popping, and newsreels were poised to record the return of the president. Mr. Roosevelt stepped down the gangplank to thunderous cheers and applause.
Now at the same time this was going on, frail Samuel Morrison exhausted and worn out, limped off the boat at the other end. No one was there to greet him. He slowly made his way through the mob. There were so many people there he couldn’t even find a cab.
Inside his broken heart he began to sadly complain, “Lord the president has been in Africa for 3 weeks killing animals and the whole world turns out to welcome him home. I’ve been in Africa for 25 years serving you and not one person has greeted me or even knows I’m here.” No sooner had he said those things when in the quietness of his heart, a gentle loving voice whispered, “My child, you’re not yet home.”
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Rev 22:12-13)
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