There are some members of our armed forces who give the ultimate sacrifice, their life.
However, all service members make sacrifices for their country. Whether they are in training or on an assignment, these men and women leave their friends, family, and community behind while they are gone for months and sometimes years at a time.
For me, I miss my kids when they are gone for a week at camp or I’m at a conference. I can only imagine the sadness felt by the loved ones of our arm forces members while they are parted for the sake of duty.
When Jesus died, he “left” his disciples for three days. When he came back, they were over joyed to see him, but then he left again to “prepare a place” for them. His memory kept the disciples joyous even in times of difficulty.
And while those we love may become parted from us for brief or extended periods of time so they may answer their call to serve, in the time we spend apart we can continue to pray for them, keep in touch with them, and await the joyous time when we can once more share those joyous moments of holidays, birthdays, first steps, and being together again.
