Sept 17,2025 – See God in Everything
Our Japanese friend, Miko, flew in yesterday morning to pay her respects at Daddy’s grave. While I was waiting at the bottom of the escalators that the passengers come down, a mother and 3 children walked up and stood across from me. I didn’t notice them much at first until the father arrived and then their reunion was difficult not to watch.
When he first saw all of them, he waved both arms and his big smile reflected the joy he must have felt. The son, maybe 13, sort of hesitated as he stepped away from his mother and two younger sisters, but when his father cleared the barrier, he ran to him and buried his face in his father’s shoulder. The dad seemed to talk soothingly to him as he cried. He smiled at the rest of the family as they slowly approached allowing for the long embrace.
The daughter, who looked to be around 10 or 11, gave what looked like a reluctant side hug and, when the boy finally let go, the dad picked up the younger daughter who looked like a rag doll collapsing onto his shoulder. I realized that where I was standing was too close to this private moment; so, I moved a ways away but was still able to glance every now and then at the family. It just hit me that perhaps the reason I was so drawn to watching the heartwarming reunion was because that was my family all the many times we greeted my father when he came home from military assignments – a son and daughter close in age and then the younger daughter (me) and a loving wife/mother.
The mom patiently waited her turn, and I figured she would give a quick hug and kiss, but her embrace lasted as long or longer than the son’s with them both laughing and crying at times it seemed; so, I found myself wondering why this was such an emotional family greeting. Has he been gone a long time? Was it a dangerous assignment? It was interesting to me that as they walked toward the baggage area, the family was all walking ahead of the dad with the mom holding the younger daughter’s hand. No one was holding the dad’s hand or even walking beside him. As they walked back towards me, I noticed that he had a large suitcase so I’m guessing he’d been gone a long time. Perhaps they were all just so relieved to have him back, and are such a loving and close family, that they don’t need to hang all over each other. What I think doesn’t really matter.
They passed by me to leave and as they disappeared going up the escalator, I felt like I do when a movie is over and I want to know what happens next in the characters’ lives. Based on my observations and instincts about their reactions, I imagine that the dad’s absence may have left the older daughter wanting – security, love, etc – so she was reluctant to immediately dive in like her brother and sister did. The younger daughter exemplified that child-like faith we are called to have. She didn’t seem upset like the brother nor reserved like the sister. He’d been gone and now he was back. All was likely well for her either way. I think the mom was just so glad to have her husband back to share life and responsibilities with. The son, though, to me was a study in how we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Of course this is just me making up scenarios, but I’m guessing that being the man of the house (likely self-imposed) was more than he bargained for. I believe I was watching relief wash over him in that emotional embrace – relief and gratitude for his father being home but also in all that he realized that his dad does for him that he’s not ready to take on yet in life. Kind of like what happens for me at times when I finally lay burdens at the foot of the cross and relinquish control to my Father.
JA – “ ‘Fear of the Lord’ is often misunderstood, but it is the foundation of spiritual wisdom and knowledge. It consists of reverential awe, adoration, and submission to My will.” I watched that in the son for his father. What a great faith metaphor for that boy’s life. Most of us tend to view our relationship with God through the lens of our experiences with our earthly fathers – at least until we experience God for ourselves. This boy seems to have a great foundation for his relationship with God. “Since I am your Creator, aligning yourself with Me is the best way to live….My steadfast Love will never let you down….”
Prevail 259– the title from yesterday would have been so appropriate for the scene at the airport, “Embrace Expectancy,” but it also prepares me for the rotator cuff surgery on Friday. It’s taken from Acts 3:6 when Peter doesn’t allow the beggar to remain in that state. Larson writes, “Expectancy compels us to look up….Peter raised the standard that day. He offered what God had entrusted to him; resurrection power….Refuse to settle….” Yesterday a friend asked how my shoulder is and I answered, “It comes and goes. When it goes I think I don’t need to do this, but when it comes I can’t wait to get it done.” The recovery will limit my abilities for a while, but if I settle for the pain as it is, it will be with me forever.
Jamie Kern Lima talks about not settling in her book, Believe It, which is the current book keeping me company in the car and while doing chores and projects. I highly recommend it.
Jamie’s struggles and successes are very inspiring, but as I read today’s Prevail 260, I found myself questioning my purpose. Am I following where You’ve led me or am I making up roles for myself. Larson’s prayer: “Jesus, You have a different plan for each of us. Help me to follow where You lead. When I look to anything but You, I miss the resurrection power that comes from You. You’re more than enough for me. Amen”
Power – Philippians 2:14 – “Do all things without grumbling and fault finding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves]. I hear You. Keep doing what I’m doing until You lead me to what is next. Joyce writes, “,,,even if what is happening in our circumstances is not something God is doing, it is something He can fix if we will trust Him to do so….If we truly trust God, then we won’t murmur and complain, but instead we will voice our thankfulness to Him….”
JC – “You will not find My Peace by engaging in excessive planning: attempting to control what will happen to you in the future….I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me….Commit everything into My care.” Like a child trusting a parent….
Streams – 1Samuel 3:18 – “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in His eyes.” Ok, I’m trying. Ok, I will. I will. Cowman quotes Hannah Whitall Smith, “If I see God in everything, He will calm and color everything I see!…Nothing but seeing God will completely put an end to all complaining and thoughts of rebellion.”
