Welcome Home

DateLine (6/21/06 – Ponce, PR)

One consequence of hanging out in the airport is the opportunity to witness a lot of homecomings. Almost every return flight that I’m on these days has a serviceman coming home. Since my flights into Greenville-Spartanburg are typically only 20-30 minutes flights from either Atlanta or Charlotte, these travel weary soldiers are often flushed with renewed energy as the anticipate the short remaining wait for their homecoming. I’ve overheard many an anxious soldier during the flight recount a grueling ordeal; 16, 18, 24, 32 hours of extended travel on the trip home from Afghanistan or Iraq. The travel weariness dissipates as the reality of what awaits draws near. This is the first clue; talkative anxious solders.

The next clue is the peering faces in the terminal as they strain to catch that first glimpse of their loved one. First the kids, then the spouse, followed by parents, brothers, sisters, and I suspect aunts and uncles and family friends. In the old days family reunions use to occur right at the exit of the Jetway in the concourse, now that is not permitted by the TSA. I witnessed an exception to this rule a few weeks ago when the entire family was waiting right at the Jetway exit, just like in the old days. Obviously some local TSA agent fell victim to sympathy with the family and granted permission for their presence past the security station.

The first sighting produces a shriek of joy; as all of the fears and emotions of the separation are released in the first look, the first touch, the first hug. I have witnessed luggage and bags dropped to the floor, the race to embrace just like the movies, and prolonged affection in the middle of a public place as if no one else existed. I have not witnessed one yet without a huge lump appearing in my throat.

As wonderful as these military homecomings are they are a mere shadow of a homecoming that every Christian will experience. One of the most eagerly anticipated benefits of Christianity is the day we will be reunited with loved ones in our permanent home. The longer we live on this earth the more we will long for that day of homecoming. I can imagine that the first to greet us will be our Brother; Jesus. The next face that we’ll see is our Father, Yahweh. There is no doubt in my mind that peering over their shoulders will be that wife, husband, mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent that has gone on before us. As we acclimate to the intimacy of our new found relationship with God there will be no sadness as we realize that the nature of the relationships that we had on earth have been transformed (see Matt 22:23-33.)

As blessed as my life has been here on this earth, I long for the day when I hear the heavenly greeting; Welcome Home! Never to be separated again.