As we have journeyed toward the Chaplaincy, my wife and I have gone to great lengths to prepare our young boy for the transition. You could even ask him what daddy’s going to be and he would tell you, “Daddy be Chaplain in the Army . . . I be Chaplain.” Well, this past week my uniform began to make its way to the house in stages and I tried it on accordingly. Our son has been wide eyed and skeptical throughout the entire process. Once the entire uniform arrived, I tried it on and had momma take a couple of solo pictures. Needless to say, those pictures pale in comparison to the one she took of my favorite little man and me.
As I look at the picture of me holding this brave boy (and he doesn’t even know it), I am both touched and scared. I see his magnificent “big” smile (the way he will sometimes smile when we say, “Now smile big) and it blesses my heart. So much so, that it sits upon my desktop for my viewing pleasure every time I turn on the computer. I am also scared, or probably more so concerned, because I know the coming transition will be difficult for all, but especially difficult for the young lad.
Despite the angst I feel to leave my family and the love I have for them, I still cannot deny that the Lord has called us to this ministry and I am elated to serve both God and country. I do not doubt that this summer course at CHBOLC will prove impossible at times, but I also do not doubt that it will be incredible.
This great smile worn by my young man, being held by his daddy who is wearing the United States Army ACU, will forever be burned in my mind’s eye. Praise the Lord for the memories He allows us to carry.
