It's time I share a little secret. It doesn't really need to be a secret. It's just something I've done over the years and haven't ever really made it a big deal. Perhaps if you know, you can do it too, and then pass it along to your friends. Who knows how far and wide it will spread.
Every time I fly from Atlanta back to Phoenix, my gate area always seems to be right next to the gate area where the military men and women gather to fly to their deployed destination. Some of them are young enough to be my son or my daughter, and old enough to be my husband or my brother.
They are always in their uniforms, many with duffle bags over their shoulders. They are sitting in the waiting area, on the floor along the wall, and many times lined up on the concourse, until their flight is called to board. When I look into their eyes and smile, I always get a smile back.
I watch them, one by one, disappear from sight as they enter the jet way to board their plane for a long journey to the other side of the world. When the jet way door closes, all that is left behind is silence and emptiness, and a few newspapers on the chairs.
It occurred to me after experiencing this moving scene several times, that one thing I could do for these men and women would be to pray silently for them, one by one. I would focus in on each person and pray for their safety and protection, their loved ones left behind, and that they would know Jesus and cling to Him. I felt like I was giving each person my own little blessing, that I was doing something rather than just sitting there reading, or drinking a cup of coffee, like I so often do.
Now, as I travel from place to place, in airport to airport, and spot our men and women in uniform, first I smile, then I pray. Sometimes, God opens the door for a conversation to start, and then I always thank them for serving their country and for the sacrifices they make. How ironic, that they always thank me in return.
Try it the next time you're in the airport. Pass it on to your friends. Who knows how far and wide this simple little gesture will spread and how many men and women who serve in the Armed Forces will be touched through prayer!
PS: I'll be at Yongsan Military Post in Seoul, Korea this month to speak at a Faithlift Conference. Pray for the men and women and their families who serve there, as well as those coming from Japan and Guam! (As you can imagine, I'll also be on prayer duty at many airports along the way!) |
