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~It was almost a year ago that Sam answered the call and went off to fight in the war

against terrorism. Now he is coming home!~ 

They had been required to park about a mile away, and they were not allowed into the boarding and unboarding area to meet the passengers who were getting off the plane, so now Jessica Ransford and her children, Maggie, Caleb, and Brianna, were standing at the luggage conveyor belt, waiting for the appearance of Sam Ransford.

Brianna’s pent-up excitement revealed itself through her constant twirling, spinning herself like top. Caleb was doing yo-yo tricks that he had learned in his father’s absence. Maggie was brushing her hair and checking her make-up every few minutes, secretly hoping that her dad would see how grown-up she was now.

Jessica, after several futile attempts to get the kids to calm down, stared unseeing at the airline poster hanging on the wall. She was traveling down a memory lane, thinking of all that had happened in Sam’s absence. He had been gone nearly a year, which was how long the engineering firm that employed him would hold a job for him – hopefully the same one he’d held when he took leave to join the war effort. Though the war on terrorism was far from over, Sam had been obliged to return home to secure his place in the firm, and also to be with his family, whom he had missed greatly.

Jessica thought of last Christmas, how her friends had gathered to help her decorate. She thought of the leaky roof, the financial squeeze, the uncooperative lawn mower, and how God had moved on her behalf. She smiled, remembering the way the children had worked together to surprise her for Mother’s Day and to plan their family vacation. She thought of the spiritual lessons she had learned and passed on to her children. She was stronger now, and so was her faith. Good things had come during this time of trials. God had never forsaken them. He had supplied all of their needs.

“Daddy!”

Brianna’s squeal brought Jessica back to the present. She turned her head to see her daughter leap into her father’s arms, as Caleb and Maggie hurried for their hugs and kisses. Sam was laughing as he touched each one’s head, exclaiming over how much they’d grown.

Jessica couldn’t move. Sam looked toward her and their eyes met. He put Brianna down and walked toward his wife. His tan made the silver at his temples seem more prominent, and his blue-gray eyes seemed brighter. Tears welled up in Jessica’s own eyes as she moved forward and flung her arms around her beloved and felt his arms tighten around her.

“Oh, Sam,” she said, half laughing, half crying, “I promised myself that I would not cry! I’ve missed you so much – I can’t believe you’re finally here!”

Sam kissed her forehead, her eyes and then lingered on her lips. “I missed you, too.” He said. “I prayed every day that God would keep you safe until the day I came home. I promised Him that if He would just get me back safely, I would never take you for granted again.”

Maggie interrupted the tender moment. “Hey, let’s get Dad’s luggage and go out to celebrate!”

Sam smiled at her. “Where to?” he asked.

“The Barefoot Fisherman!” Brianna announced, knowing it was her daddy’s favorite.

“Sea-food! Sea-food!” Caleb chanted.

And so, the family gathered the luggage, made the long trek to the car, and drove off to enjoy a special time of reunion. Jessica thanked God over and over again for his faithfulness, mercy and grace. She wasn’t the same Jessica that Sam had left behind; she was the new, improved Jessica, and she couldn’t wait for Sam to notice the change.

She closed her eyes, gave Sam’s hand a squeeze, and smiled contentedly as they headed down the highway with three chattering kids in the back seat.

Copyright 2002 by Brenda B. Covert