2 Homecomings

Today we (Becky and I) had the privilege of being with the family members of the USS Ingraham to greet crew members arriving home from Iraq. I have always gotten rather "mushy" when viewing service members returning home to their families. Today, that was us getting to welcome Dick home.

The weather was far from cooperative, and the closer the ship got to dock, the greater the intensity of rain and the increasing of the wind. One could not help but notice that even the seagulls flying overhead looked lonely and windblown. Puget Sound was decked in a very bland shade of grey, making the arriving grey ship very difficult to see, let alone photograph. Not one person left due to inclement weather, nor did any sailor complain about the couple of hours standing on board in rain, for they were going to be reunited with family, some who had come from far distances.

The security surrounding the arrival was very apparent. Three times we had to show our ID before we got onto the dock. The ship had police escort in the Sound. Simply a sign of the times.

Becky and I found it easy to talk with different families as we waited. While we had never been introduced, we all had something in common; someone we loved was coming home. One little girl was curled up on her grandmother's lap shivering, and when asked if she wanted to go to the car to get warm and wait till the ship arrived, shook her head in convincing negative motion. Her daddy was coming home, and she would not leave till he arrived.

As the ship manuevered against the dock, the band played, and several times, the assembly of people broke out into spontaneous applause. We could see the sailors lining the ship, carefully in the "at ease" position while docking. However, the nearer they got, the more the professional positions broke down. For they could identify family waiting just a few feet away, and the waving and blowing of kisses began. Nothing could contain the emotions that were visible. We watched the inevitable "slowness" of the positioning of the gangplank that would allow sailors to exit. Now the anticipation and impatience accelerated.

Finally, the exiting began. First was the winner of the "first kiss" and then the new daddies deboarded. Then, a few at a time, sailors began exiting. "Daddy!" That was a sound of a little girl from behind us who had just spotted her daddy coming toward her. She would not wait till he walked up to where she and her sister and mother were. She ran, fully focused on her dad. The soft old man in me loved seeing that. All was well, she had here daddy's arms around her.

Watching the renewal of relationships fascinated me. The months of seperation melted away at the embrace of loved ones. Then it was our turn.

Because of Amanda not being able to be there, Dick had watch. He was positioned on board near where all visitors began their tour of the boat. Once we spotted him, he waved us on board to greet him. I shook his hand, and got a cursory hug (no complaint). Becky got the longer hug then as well as the hug before we left him. (this I expected). The privilege of being there to welcome someone home lingers vividly in my mind. Dick and Amanda have become same as family to us. This was personal, this was memorable for us.

The emotions of pride in someone arriving in this grandeur and style and patriotism is an experience that I wish every person could experience. Everyone deserves to be welcomed home and told thank you, and a job well done. I am thankful that we had the privilege of saying that.


However, there is a second homecoming that kept flashing through my mind while we waited and anticipated Dick's arrival. For this homecoming, the security we noticed today will not be needed, for this battle has already been won. And we know the final score. The grey of storm clouds will never be seen again, for the Son will be shining brightly.

Like the little girl who ran upon seeing her daddy, we too will have one person as the center of our focus. We must see Jesus. Nothing less will do. Like the song, I can only imagine what our response will be. There will be a great cloud of witnesses watching for our arrival; now I know in part what being part of those witnesses feels like.

Perhaps the most wonderful part of this homecoming is the parallel with wanting everyone to experience what we did today. For this second homecoming is one all of us have the opportunity to experience. It is for "whosoever will come". It beckons us, and the same as this arrival date was anticipated and longed for, I know that someday soon, I will get to hear the words, "welcome home", from the One who loved me more than I can ever deserve or imagine.

Until then, may my focus to run to my Father mirror the attention of that little girl. May my eyes search the crowd until I see the face of my Saviour as clearly as she saw her daddy.

I loved the homecoming today. Even more so, I determine to experience this second homecoming. Meet me there.