Prayer, a Source of Comfort by Annette Tewell
Most of us can remember exactly where we were on 9-11. That day is so ingrained in our being that we are able to tell what we were doing and what we were wearing at the time we heard of that terrible moment in American history. My day was just beginning and I was walking up the stairs to my classroom where I would meet my first class of the day, second period English IV. The librarian called to me and began to stutter the words that changed my life, at least the peace of my life.Knowing what this could mean to my son who was at Ft. Bragg, I felt a chill deep in my chest. Oh God, will this mean war? No, no, no...
My son did not call me with any horrifying news until October that year, and my heart melted. Trying to sound calm and confident, we talked in abstracts and codes. He was to leave within the week. After hanging up, I crumbled in tears. I prayed and I cried for what seemed like hours, but I could not get a sense of peace. Lord, I pleaded, please, bring peace to my heart. I had to be strong for my other children. Mom could not fall apart!
I prayed and cried for days until I received another call to tell me that the mission had been scrapped. A dangerous leak had occurred and lives were definitely at stake. Jason sounded disappointed, but I was elated! I thanked God for His protection and, yes, for my son not going. I was not prepared to send my son into a combat zone.
The next call came soon after and, this time, there was no reprieve. He and his company, plus a few others, were headed to Afghanistan. I could not go to work. I prayed and cried and prayed some more for three days. At long last, I received the peace that only God could give. The peace that surpasses all understanding. I would awaken during the nights that he was deployed with feelings of dread, and I would pray for him and those with him and then begin singing, "How Great Thou Art" until I fell back to sleep. His peace remained. We were elated when Jason made it home for Christmas that year!
He was deployed three more times. The next being in March of 2003, when he and his brigade dropped into Iraq. Again, I hit my knees and stayed there for three days. Again, I could not work. Again, the Lord brought a peace that I could not explain, but something I knew was real. During this time I was able to share with other women how the Lord had heard my cries and brought peace and assure them He would do the same for them.
His last two deployments were to Afghanistan (2006-2007) and then Iraq (2008-2009). During these deployments, my time spent agonizing for his safety was reduced to a day. I was, finally, beginning to know and trust that God truly is involved in the affairs of his children. I still awoke during the nights and spent time in prayer before singing myself to sleep with "How Great Thou Art," but through it all, I learned that God is the Lord of all. I love sharing these times with others facing similar situations. God is great!
On 9-11-12 at 9:10 a.m. this American hero, a son who helped his mother learn the real meaning of leaning on the Lord, retired from active military service. The date is so appropriate. It is my prayer that he is blessed beyond measure for all he has done in service to this nation. Where those in government may fail him and others, may God be their source of all goodness. Well done Jason!!! And, welcome home!
