I love Holy Moments.
The unplanned seconds that grab your heart and imagination and don't let go. Watching grandparents gaze at their grandchild saying, "Till death do us part" at a wedding with tears rolling down their cheeks. Knowing that each tear could tell a story of great times and hard times and everything in between. Experiencing the moving emotion in a movie like "Braveheart" when William Wallace yells "FREEDOM" and gives his life for it or in a musical like "Les Miserables" when grace gives Jean Valjean freedom. Maybe you've had one of these moments lately when one of your kids crawl up in your lap and spontaneously say, "Daddy, I Love You." Your heart swells and your eyes water and your soul wishes you could push pause for about two years. These moments grab us, shake us, stir us, but mostly remind us what really matters in life: Living for a King that many can't see and loving our family and friends with a love that is beyond words.
I had one of those moments coming home from church this past Sunday. And, like most Holy Moments, it caught me off guard and surprised me with an experience I will not soon forget. As I turned of the highway going towards my home a huge banner caught my attention. It was professionally made and printed with very large red letters that said "WELCOME HOME!!!" On the side of the sign was a United States Marine Corps emblem- obviously a soldier coming home from the War. As I drove along the road there were more printed signs. "We missed YOU!!!- the Bransons"We Love You"- the Brazier's, hundreds of them-spaced every 10 yards- for miles. As I read these words from the hundredss of friends and family I found myself overwhelmed with the emotion the soldier must have been feeling as he turned down that highway towards His home; thankful to God that he is still breathing, able to drive a car- and then to be greeted with such a beautiful expression of love, thanks, and appreciation. I have long had an affinity for going home to were I grew up and experiencing that feeling of safety, warmth, and good memories. I can't imagine how much sweeter it was to that Marine who many days wondered whether he would ever make that drive again. I have never been to War. He has.
The last sign I read will forever assure this moment a place in my memory. It said simply "Semper Fi". The Marine mantra which means, "Always Faithful". In that moment I pictured the great cloud of witnesses that will one day line the streets when you and I come home. Signs of love, thanks, and appreciation, all signed by friends, family, and heroes of the faith that have gone home before me. I can't wait to see the signs for me from my NaNa, Don Phillips, Ryan King, and Justin Raburn, just to name a few. As great as those signs will be, they will lead to a greater reward that has captured my heart: To fall down before my Lord and My King, and to hear the words, "Semper Fi."
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
I love Holy Moments.
