That's my brother, Steven. He is a soldier in the Army, serving for the past year in Afghanistan. Today, he is sitting in limbo, awaiting the plane that will bring him home to his wife Chrissy, son Augustine, daughter Adeline, and newborn son Attlas. He has sacrificed the comforts of home, his safety, watching his children grow and learn, kisses from his wife, hugs from his family, home-cooked meals, a warm bed to sleep in, and countless other things that I take for granted on a daily basis. He has risked his life without a second thought. He has done this for me. He has done this for you. He has done this for everyone who calls themselves free.
We have prayed for him, day after day, relentlessly asking God to protect him and bring him home safely. We have prayed for the men at his side, for his commanders, and for the people he protects. We have prayed for his children, that in Steven's absence, God would comfort them as a father. We have prayed for his wife, that the Lord would be her shield and her strength. We have been awakened in the early hours of the morning, stirred from our beds to fall on our knees and pray for Steven. By the grace of God, Steven is returning to us.
We are anxious to see you, brother, to see your wide grin and joyful eyes. We long to hear your voice and your deep laugh. We can't wait to breathe the sigh of relief when we see you walk before us, and know that you are home, for real, for good. May God speed your return, Steven. We love you.
