When the Air Force sent me to Saudi Arabia for six months I missed my family, my privacy, and having some control over my life. I felt lonely and unhappy. I saw it as something I just had to get through. The only thing I looked forward to was leaving when my tour was over.
I met Paul Thomas Christian at a Wednesday night Bible study. A big farm boy from Minnesota, he was friendly, quiet, and kind of shy. I liked him right away and we became friends. I looked forward to seeing him each day and talking about work, getting through our time in the desert and about our families. I told him about my wife and daughter who I missed a lot. He told me of his wife, whom he had married just before being sent to Saudi Arabia. He wrote her letters and called her every chance he got, which wasn’t often enough.
Paul had arrived before me and left a month before I did. I really missed him. I felt sorry for myself, losing my friend, and being left behind when he got to go home. I didn’t feel bad for Paul. He was with his wife who loved him and had prepared for his return. Being home would be nice. Leaving long, hard, days working in the desert heat behind, Paul was doing just fine.
That came to mind when my mother passed away earlier this year (2013). Mom had a tough life and more than her share of problems, but she tried to make life a little better for me and my brothers. Over the last few years, she was in a nursing home as her health deteriorated. She had few visitors and so I tried to call her from overseas every week. We talked about family, and I helped her count her blessings like eating ice cream, getting her hair fixed and playing Bingo. As the end approached, Mom couldn’t talk on the phone anymore and finally passed away.
At Mom’s funeral, there were tears, sad faces, and people expressed their condolences in whispers. They were so sorry that Mom had died. I didn’t feel bad for Mom, I felt sorry for myself. I lost my mother who I enjoyed talking with, but she got to go home, and I had to stay here. She went to be with JESUS who loves her so much and prepared for her arrival. I’m sure Heaven is nice. Leaving all heartache, suffering and pain behind her, Mom is doing just fine.
Some day when you find my time to leave has come, you may feel sad. Don’t feel bad for me. I will be in Heaven with JESUS and will be… doing just fine.
Wayne Lance (2013) – That’s Good news to Share!