Joyful Expectation

2 John 1:12, "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete."

Its been a little over a week now since Deb returned home from her six weeks stay with our youngest daughter, new baby, and new location to live. 

The sacrifice was honorable but I'm glad to have someone else in the house again, even if we aren't in the same place most of the time. Because of her absence I now own another 150 pairs of socks, another 50 items of underwear, and have proved that one can actually wear the same shirt 40 days in a row. I am also on a first name basis with the girl at Taco Bell and my favorite cashier on register number 10 at Fred Meyer.

Just joking...I received exact instructions on the clothes washer and dryer and several days of meals were wonderfully prepared for me before I left. And yes, the bed was made every morning. 

Deb and I have never been apart for that long in our entire 31 years of marriage and I hope we don't have to do that again. It made the departure like pulling a bandage off quickly and the flight home light a return from India rather than Indiana. 

I am a people watcher and just enjoy the creative differences of our God. Not a single person is the same. Even identical twins are not identical in every way. And as I sat expectantly awaiting my bride to arrive I saw the most joyful things. 

It was late in the evening and things were fairly quiet. It was obvious when a plane unloaded - lots of people funneled through the airport to make their way to their final destination. Those who were anxiously awaiting loved ones began to stir and to stand and to pace and to stand on their tip-toes looking over the heads of the ones coming toward them. And one by one those around me jumped up and rushed toward their hearts desire. Lots of hugs. Lots of kisses. Lots of tears. I didn't even know these people but I was so happy for them. If they would have motioned for me to come I would have joined in the group hug. It brought joy to my heart to see people greeting each other with such love. I couldn't wait for my turn. By the time Deb arrived I was so emotionally exhausted from all the joy shared with my fellow Oregonians that I stayed in my seat and tried to blow her a kiss. It came out more like a cough and I think by the response of the man in front of her that my kiss may have hit the wrong person. I thought to myself...everyone needs to have someone greet them at the airport with a hug and a kiss (I wrote PDX about my new ministry but they have not responded as of yet). 

Someday our Savior is coming back to fully redeem this ole body and this old world and I can't help but to think of the all consuming joy that I will feel at his arrival. I just hope His plane is on time.