It was a homecoming to...
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It was a homecoming to remember when the bus full of solders arrived as the high school
band played "Stars And Stripes Forever." The soldiers were returning after serving in
Iraq. Among the crowd that day were parents, grandparents, girlfriends, boyfriends, and
children to welcome home the local heroes. The soldiers were amazed at the public
response. They line up beside the bus; the chaplain offered a prayer of thanksgiving for
their safe return, and also remembered those who died in Iraq. The Major spoke two
words, "Company Dismissed." Family members then swarmed to greet their returning
soldier.
Twenty-year-old Sam had spent a year helping operate a medical clinic while serving with the National Guard. Sam's grandfather told a television news reporter that he had prayed every day for his grandson.
The previous year had been a difficult one for Sam. During those twelve months he experienced a full range of emotions, wanting to serve his country, then apprehension, and later fear as people he knew were killed. Eventually, his fear turned to boredom, as day after day was the same. His world was brown -- sand in every direction -- without any green grass like at home.
Sam appreciated all the letters and notes he received from home. He knew his grandfather was praying for him. He remembered as a young boy going to church with his grandparents, yet for Sam faith never connected. While away from home, serving in Iraq, Sam felt drawn to God. He began gathering with other soldiers to pray. He began talking with the chaplain who suggested that he download a Bible on his personal computer. Sam began reading the Bible and connecting to the words of Jesus. In that unlikely setting, war-torn Iraq, his faith took root.
It was the worst of times for the people living in Jeremiah's day. The people had given up all hope. Jeremiah, proclaiming the word of God, told the people that the day would come when life would return to the way it had been. The people experienced a new sense of hope.
Twenty-year-old Sam had spent a year helping operate a medical clinic while serving with the National Guard. Sam's grandfather told a television news reporter that he had prayed every day for his grandson.
The previous year had been a difficult one for Sam. During those twelve months he experienced a full range of emotions, wanting to serve his country, then apprehension, and later fear as people he knew were killed. Eventually, his fear turned to boredom, as day after day was the same. His world was brown -- sand in every direction -- without any green grass like at home.
Sam appreciated all the letters and notes he received from home. He knew his grandfather was praying for him. He remembered as a young boy going to church with his grandparents, yet for Sam faith never connected. While away from home, serving in Iraq, Sam felt drawn to God. He began gathering with other soldiers to pray. He began talking with the chaplain who suggested that he download a Bible on his personal computer. Sam began reading the Bible and connecting to the words of Jesus. In that unlikely setting, war-torn Iraq, his faith took root.
It was the worst of times for the people living in Jeremiah's day. The people had given up all hope. Jeremiah, proclaiming the word of God, told the people that the day would come when life would return to the way it had been. The people experienced a new sense of hope.
