From Pastor Franko (4/29/2008)

Herb went off to war, leaving Linda, his wife of only a few months, to make a home while he was gone. And throughout his tour of duty in Italy during World War II Linda did exactly that. With every penny Herb sent back, Linda made a home for the two of them and for a family that would someday follow.

As hard as it is to go off war I’ve come to see that it isn’t any easier being the one left behind. Over the past five years that we have been fighting the Global War on Terrorism, I have come to appreciate as an Army National Guard Chaplain what spouses and families go through when their loved one goes to war. I’ve come to appreciate the worry and the fear they contend with. I’ve come to appreciate the grit and strength they bring to the heavy load they carry to keep the home fires burning. I’ve come to appreciate the faith they cling to, believing that they wait not in vain – that, indeed, their loved one will return and that all of their preparation for that moment will be rewarded with joy and celebration

Well, after almost 68 years of marriage, Herb and Linda’s house is nearly empty now. Linda died unexpectedly and Herb is alone in that home she had made for the two of them. Now Herb is the one who is left behind and I can’t even imagine how lonely it is for him and the grit and strength required of him to carry on without her at his side.

At Linda’s funeral John’s gospel announced those familiar words of Jesus about going to prepare a dwelling place for his followers, an eternal home in heaven. Before they can imagine him gone, Jesus has to leave them so that he can make sure a special place will be ready for them when their time comes to go home. And that’s where Linda is right now. She’s with Jesus, helping to get things ready for the reunion.

Of course my simple mind offers me only a limited perspective of what that reunion day might be like and the preparation it takes to make it perfect. Obviously, it will be far grander and far more extraordinary than I can possibly imagine. Still, in my minds eye I can see Linda being the great homemaker she has always been. I can see her cleaning and baking and fretting over the details. I can see her tending the gardens and scouring heaven’s lawn for any weeds that might dare to appear. I can see her setting the cards out on the table and getting out her dancing shoes for the good times that will come.

And that’s just in the figment of my limited imagination. I know that isn’t even close to what it’s really like. In the mean time, however, we wait, don’t we? We wait as the ones left behind, always yearning for the time when we will be together again; always counting the days until we can join the reunion and we’re home at last and there is joy and celebration. We wait in faith and hope, with grit and strength staying devoted to our savior and Lord, so that we too may hear the glad welcome, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”