Where is God in Deployment?

Our oldest son, Andrew, recently deployed overseas. He’s not in a scary place so I’m not worried about him. Well… not much more than the general anxiety a dad always feels for his son.

It’s an interesting experience to go to a farewell for soldiers. First, they leave their families to check in. Then, hours later as a group, they are reunited with their families for one last a kiss and cry, a final half hour to say goodbye.

Nancy and I sat in a gym waiting for Andrew, surrounded by friends and family of soldiers. They were mostly young moms with small children; one baby so small Nancy was convinced it was born the day before.

As soldiers began to file into the gym and sit on bleachers across from us, everyone began to look for “their” soldier. In a gym full of soldiers, camouflage clothing works really well!

A little boy was sitting next to Nancy on his mom’s lap. Mom said, “There’s Daddy. Can you see him?” Maybe 3, the boy began waiving frantically  “Hi Daddy! Hi Daddy! I love you Daddy… I can’t see him.”

Mom would point again and the process would repeat itself. He was so excited to wave and shout, “I love you Daddy.” But he would always turn back and say, “I can’t see him.”

It struck me that this is the way our walk with God is sometimes. There are times in our lives when we just can’t see our father. Maybe it’s our hectic pace, a painful experience or we just feel distant.

In those times it is so good to have someone who can say, “There he is.” Not people who condemn us for being spiritually blind or broken, or who offer trite answers like, "Pray and read the Bible more." But people who lovingly point us to the truth.

What I appreciated too was the exuberant faith of the little boy, who trusted completely his father was there. He couldn't see his Dad, but trusted that his Dad could see him. He trusted his dad was watching. I hope in times of darkness or confusion can do the same.

Finally, his Dad came near and they were both full of joy. I pray that we can all experience those times of nearness, even as we long for the day we will finally be reunited with him, forever.