In the Arms of the Warrior

On this Veterans Day weekend, I was watching a special video clip of multiple service men and women as they came home to their families.  They showed surprise events of young children being reunited with their fathers and mothers.  There were also spouses being reunited and soldiers coming home to see their older parents.  The video captured some unexpected welcome home moments in front of large crowds at ball games and others that were much smaller in a home environment.  It was so moving that I was both smiling and crying.  I am so grateful to those who have fought for our freedom.  I am amazed at the sacrifices they and their families have made.
 
During the show, I was feeling so emotional watching the parents embrace their children.  Sheer love and excitement, tears and laughter, joy and warmth.  Again and again and again children and their parents were wrapped in each other’s arms.  I’m even more grateful for that show now because it inspired this writing.     
 
Toward the end of the show I began to wonder what it will be like when I am reunited with my heavenly Father.  I imagined the excitement of seeing God and us sprinting to get to each other.  I imagined being speechless as I’m wrapped in His arms of love.  I imagined the feeling of immense joy, love, peace, and safety.  The feeling of finally being home. 
 
I have worked with the dying for many years now.  As you can imagine, a recurring theme with them has been discussions of Heaven.  When I ask them what they are most looking forward to when they get there, again and again the answer is, “Seeing God,” or “Seeing my mother and father.”  That hope of reunion is one of the greatest hopes there is.  And for those who serve the suffering, that hope helps us keep on keeping on.  
 
I support and thank our Veteran warriors not just this weekend, but every day.  More than that, though, I thank my Father, the ultimate Warrior, in advance for embracing me His loving arms one day.  Can you imagine your reunion with Him?
 
Thankful,
Celeste
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
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