An unusual sense of foreboding hovered over the gloomy low-ceilinged parking garage. I drove cautiously to the second level before finding an empty spot, and was relieved it faced the outside light. An older grey sedan pulled in on my left moments later, and out popped an equally older, short, wiry man whose wrinkled, weathered face exuded kindness.
Just steps ahead of him as we approached the elevator, I pushed the button, the door opened, and we rode down together. Proceeding along the narrow walkway into the VA Medical Center, I inquired if he was a veteran.
“Yes,” he said. And I thanked him for his service.
“My husband, dad, and many men in my family are veterans, too,” I offered. Thinking of other family members and how we each also serve…as civilians living the collateral effects of military service…I added, “I’ve found it’s a shared family thing.”
As we waited in line in the busy lobby, he continued, his eyes darkening, “My dad served in WWII. The horribly inhumane things he experienced…there’s a reason those vets don’t want to talk about it.”
During our conversation I wondered aloud, “Do you feel those hurts have carried over to you? Generational pain is real, and I wonder how much we unknowingly carry.”
“Oh, there’s all kinds of therapy for that,” he replied. As the line moved forward and our chat ended, I thanked him again and said, “God bless you,” smiling as we parted. His face and eyes lit up and, with his affirming nods, I sensed a moment of spiritual solidarity.
Seconds later, after receiving directions to our son’s post-surgical room, I looked back. The man had vanished. What more would he have shared? What reason for such a random interchange? A mist of stories, a lightening of burdens? Or was he but a timely escort through a foreboding garage?
After a good visit with our son and daughter-in-law, I drove t’wards a stormy sky, my mind rewinding to the veteran’s brief story of his father, and the burden of untold stories so many still carry.
A vast sheet of mottled grey covering the sky turned progressively heavier and darker ‘til it touched the ground. The air felt oppressive, the darkness pulling the sky earthward as though an increasing weight of tears hung there…waiting. Hidden, stuffed pain begged to be released into weeping rain lest the atmosphere implode…nature reflecting the mounting collective hurts of the world. Would a person’s increasingly burdened spirit look the same? How many hurting souls refused to release their heavy rain, thundering only, or finding other ways to avoid being consumed by their stormy grief? Would they ever be free of such a load?
Just left of the misery, a section of brilliant blue sky held a great white cumulus cloud, the sun’s rays illuminating it from behind and shining around it…a proud fist of pure victory despite the dark, dismal gloom brooding nearby. Nature reflecting light overcoming the darkness. Hope rising. Burdens cast off. Freedom!
God bless us every one! Bless each veteran…generations standing to fight for goodness and right, enduring grave hardships of tortuous battle against evil and all who would defeat wholeness and peace. And for the untold families who bear the hardships as well…they are all of us. Please, God, wipe every tear away! And give us strength to overcome those unseen things in ourselves causing the pain we inflict on one another. Heal us through Your perfect peace and reconciliation. Thank You for truth, light, and freedom!
~~~
LORD, thank You for this brief encounter, and safe passage through a dark place. Help us to savor touch points like this, not feel hurried but wait in the quietness of Your Spirit to listen and hear. Bless each veteran, and every hurting person. Restore us all from the horrors and deep wounds inflicted on our bodies and spirits. Forgive the sins and brokenness we have committed against You and our fellow humans, and help us forgive ourselves and those who have caused harm. Heal our pain, dry our tears, and let us rejoice in the hope and glorious beauty of Your Light! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Revelation 21:4 NKJV “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Matthew 11:28 NLT ‘Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”’
John 8:12 NLT ‘Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”’