A word for those who miss someone during the holiday season. Thanksgiving has always been somewhat of a challenge. Today, I decided to give rather than receive. I spent the day ministering to people. I had a wonderful day at the salvation army and at the hospital. I did get reflective at the end of the day. I was watching my dads favorite movie. The Homecoming filmed in 1971; it was the pilot for the series The Waltons. The movie featured the patriarch, John Walton trying to get home for Christmas Eve. His large family awaited his arrival. Snow storms, bus wrecks, failure to get a ride while hitchhiking; all kinds of things made the journey home difficult. The movie and series were set during the Great Depression. Times were very hard. John made it home and had a sack full of presents. He had a doll for his little daughter Elizabeth. He got his oldest son John Boy some Big Chief writing tablets (before most of your time.) It was permission for him to become a writer instead of taking over the family saw mill. A moving concession on the part of the dad. Seven years later, 1978, dad gave me the same concession. He didnt understand going into ministry, but he came and heard me preach--once; and told me that he understood and knew that I would become a good preacher. He told me he was proud of me. Back to the movie, John Walton had a dramatic story about how he got the presents; he wrestled Santa Claus for them. The children were spell bound listening to their dad. When his wife, Olivia observed, she said You must have spent your whole pay check on this presents. Almost was his replied. What will we live on this week, she asked. Woman, we will live on love. Now, how did that sappy movie become a crusty old career Army Sergeants favorite movie? Three years earlier my dad had his own, homecoming. He traveled over 24 hours by planes; some cargo planes, did get home from Vietnam on Christmas Eve. He had been attacked by a jungle rat a few days earlier and had to have a rabies shot as soon as he landed. But he made it home. He made it home after 14 months in Vietnam during 67-68. He made it home from the fiercest fighting of the war, the Tet offensive. Dad made it home. Tonight, my missing him was overwhelming. He has been gone for 22 years. I watched his favorite movie. I played the guitar he bought me when I was 14. I pretended to play for him; I have learned to play so much better since he died. I know he would be proud; of my music, my life, my family, my faith. My eyes were sweating as I thought about what a great dad he was. When you miss your loved ones during the holidays; console yourself with the fact, you miss them for a reason. Some people dont miss their family. You miss them because you love them; you miss them because they were great, they made such an impact on your life. Console yourself with the contributions they made to your life, with wonderful memories, and with the promise that you will see them again. Dad had another homecoming on December 16, 1992. He got saved the day before he died. Without a doubt, I will see him again. We will have yet another homecoming. Be blessed by the memories. Be blessed by the fact your loved one was so audacious that you miss them incredibly. Be blessed by the promise of the Resurrection power of Jesus. Under Construction, b steve
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 07:19:33 +0000
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