Day 73: "Trust Me"

Today was tough. Today was the beginning of what will be a long and painful separation from everyone that is closest to me. I was, for lack of a better word, sad. But, the Lord always finds ways to comfort his children.

My Final Farewell at Bakersfield Airport

As I made my way to my plane and headed for Phoenix, then a connection to Denver, and finally to Kansas; I was greeted with a handshake by several people at each airport who thanked me for my "service". When I was at Denver Int'l Airport I spent a few minutes at the USO (a special lounge for military members), and I was given a small care package as a "thank you". Inside the care package I found various travel hygiene products, playing cards, gum, snacks...I also found a small stack of greeting cards/notes from people all over the country expressing deep appreciation and gratitude for our "service"


Each card I read and each handshake I returned was a tangible reminder that my "service" had a great and even divine purpose, and I found great comfort in that. It felt as if God was saying "Trust me", and Proverbs 3:5,6 came to mind.

Another encounter occurred the day prior, after receiving my final pre-deployment haircut. Gemma had sent me on a final mission to Target, and I then made a quick stop at Supercuts. As I was leaving, a Hispanic gentleman, about my age, walked up to me and asked for a donation. He explained to me that he was a former drug addict, and he was now a mentor at a Christian church-sponsored home for drug addicts seeking recovery. He was very passionate about his new experience in Christ which led to his victory over his addiction. As I reached to hand him some money I asked him if he had a favorite verse, and without any hesitation he recited this to me...

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Doesn't the Lord speak to us in mysterious ways and at the most opportune times? I think things are going to be alright.