A Picture of Home

The other night I had a picture of home.

It was a simple ceremony, but moving for those attending. My brother-in-law and his Army unit had just returned home from Iraq. At a local high school stadium the Brass had a welcome home ceremony. There were 5 or 6 distinguished guests giving there thoughts and the such. However, the most poignant moment came after all the speeches and thanks.

Here is what I saw. After the congressmen and government officials gave their commendations, after the generals and support staff concluded their appreciations and approval the unit lined up in formation, front and center. Their khaki desert fatigues clean and sharp, with hats on their heads and shoulders straight and tall.

The First Sergeant then read thru all 75 names in the unit, after each name (save one) that person would shout, "Here First Sergeant" in full military intonation. It was interesting to hear the brief cheers and hoots from some excited family members in the bleachers.

It's funny, but time didn't drag on like it seems to at say a graduation. Instead the slow process allowed for the magnitude of the moment to set in each of our hearts.

Finally when all the names had been read and everyone was present and accounted for, the First Sergeant passed the list off to the Captain who congratulated them on a job well done. Then in a commanding voice he said, "313, lets go home!"

The whole place exploded into shouts of joy and celebration. The sky was filled with hats as the entire unit threw them up. Struck with sudden emotion we in the bleachers had tears running down our faces as we breathed a sigh of thanks. It was as if we were finally given the OK to relax. They were home safe. They were finally home, safe.

There is a picture in the Bible. A huge crowd of people, dressed not in fatigues but robes brilliantly white with crowns on their heads, stand before their God and King. This time not in a high school stadium, but on a sea of glass. Slowly and purposefully Jesus reads off each name present, and just as slowly and purposefully the magnitude of the moment sinks in. Angels surrounding the crowd shout quick hoots and cheers. After all the names are read, Jesus turns to His Father and says, "They are all here Father, each one you gave to me."

Standing up the Father says in a commanding voice that rings through the entire universe, "Welcome home! Welcome... Home!"

With an emotional level they haven't felt since that dark day on Golgotha the angels explode with elation. Jesus' pride flashes like a supernova. Together in a concert of praise the crowd throws their crowns at His feet sighing a breath of thanks.

"We're finally home safe. We're finally home..."