At the end of June, I said goodbye to my wonderful wife as she hopped in the car to head to the airport. A few hours later, she arrived in Nova Scotia to visit with her family and the very next day I jumped into my vehicle and headed northeast to start my six-week tasking at the Cold Lake Training Centre. We left our pups in the very capable hands of our good friend who was watching over our house and for the past five and a half weeks, I have been missing Natalie, my pups, and my friends terribly. As a part of the Wellness Team here on base, we have helped many overcome the pains of separation from friends and family. Over time, the pain of separation has slowly subsided and those here have started to form strong bonds with others and, I fear, there will be many tears shed when we all depart for home at the end of the week. Once again, these feelings of loss will subside as we gather with our friends and family once again and things start to return to a bit more normal. Here is the important thing, we will never forget those whom we have shared a bit of our lives with or built relationships with. When we see them once again, there will be a time of sharing and then we go on once again. I am looking forward to being back with my wife and friends once again but until then, we relish the times we can talk and share over the phone.
So, consider this, how much does our Saviour’s heart earn to be with us in person? He was with us, in person, for a brief time and the bonds He created in that time were incredible. In that time, He built relationships that not only were for a time but were for all eternity and even though I have not met Him in person, I know Him in Spirit. I know His loving touch, I have felt the wave of love roll over me and through me that day I fully got it, the day I asked Him to come into a personal relationship with me. I can still remember that day. The tears rolled down my cheeks as I came to fully understand just how much He loved me and cared for me. And even though I have never met the Man in the flesh, I know I could not walk away from Him, not even for a moment. There are times when I do not feel close to Him, but I know He is near to me, He has never left me and all I need to do is pick up the Holy phone (go to prayer) and have a great conversation with Him. I know He waits for me, for us all, and we will one day know Him, touch Him, and experience His perfect love for us.
What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be. Bill and Gloria Gaither
The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessing,
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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
