Today, Josey is once again in Iraq. This past week the Peoria area has lost a Marine; I will attend those services, and deliver yet another condolence book. I will grieve with the mother of that fallen Marine and again ask God to spare my own son’s life, like the persistent widow who never tires of making her case before the one who holds the matter in his control (Luke 18:1–8).
I’m not sleeping through the night again, but it’s okay. The Lord awakens me to pray for my son’s safety, and I’m happy to do it. In the dark and quiet hours when most others are deep in slumber, it’s my privilege to trade the comfort of my bed for the honor of interceding on behalf of my son as he serves his country on the other side of the world.
Somehow it’s better this time. Despair is not allowed to consume me as it once did. Although living through the deployments of my sons has been excruciatingly painful, I sense a deep strengthening has taken place. I still do not know what tomorrow holds… but I do know him who holds tomorrow I place my trust in Jesus.
The first stanza of the old hymn classic “Be Still My Soul” says:
(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/bestill.htm)
Let me ask you this. If you are not trusting in God, where will you go? To whom will you turn?
The motto of the United States Marine Corps is Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for always faithful.Let me encourage you to hold on to God and don’t let go. For God is Semper Fidelis!
Lord, help me today to strive to be as faithful to you as you are to me always.
“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)