Yesterday, the day after our nation’s celebration of Veterans Day, we attended our son, Jake’s, formal retirement ceremony from the military. He enlisted on January 6, 2006, and has served in the Army Infantry for these past twenty years. From Ft Benning, Georgia; Fort Carson, Colorado; Vilseck, Germany, to Fort Polk, Louisiana, Jake ended his career close to home in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Saying we are grateful for his service to our beloved United States of America is an understatement. Rather, we feel blessed that Jake has returned home to us. There was much time spent on our knees during his deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and guarding Poland’s border against enemies. We owe much to our son and the .4% of our men and women who are active duty in our military.

It was a joy to watch Brig. Gen. Alexander Lovasz present a framed certificate of appreciation to, not only Jake, but our daughter-in-law, Sarah, for their service. Standing beside her soldier, Sarah endured his deployments with grace and positivity, and we are proud of her.

The wars our nations fight seem to never end. We have moments of peace when countries bond for the good of humanity, but they are too short between generations. From the time of Adam and Eve, satan has stirred his evil into the minds of the weak to cause dissention. On and on he continues with his intent to destroy God, to wipe out love. Two thousand years ago St. Luke laments, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth (Lk 18:8)?” It may only be .4% strong, but the faithful will, as St. Paul tells the Thessalonians “…stay alert and sober” (Thess 5:6).

Ultimately, satan cannot triumph for good always overcomes evil. God, the creator of all will bring His children home in His time to rein in ecstasy.

In this waiting period, whatever its length, we are to stand firm, our heads lifted up to the sun and its radiant light. Our hearts attuned to the Son and the sacrifice he made for our redemption. We are called to be soldiers, ever vigilant for God coming to claim us.

While we refer to this time as “waiting for Christ to come again,” we are not sitting idly by twiddling our thumbs. God calls us to be active, to gather His sons and daughters, linking arms with all who will listen and follow in His path.

What a glorious visual that makes! Imagine the scene if you will. Fields of people, the length and breadth of the Earth moving in harmony to one sunlit destination. Children doing cartwheels, young couples holding hands, mothers chatting, fathers pushing carriages, teens dancing, the elderly being carried by the strong. All of us laughing and smiling, eager to meet our heavenly Father Who for so long has awaited our arrival.

And when we reach Him, surrounded by His angels and archangels, He takes each of us in His loving embrace and seats us at His table to feast on a meal whose taste surpasses the finest we have ever eaten. Joy abounds that day and for every day that passes.

Gone are the worries, the doubts, the anguish, the tears that follow our days in this waiting period. We have arrived at our life’s purpose: complete reunion with God.

And so I pray: Dear Lord, in each new chapter of our lives, keep us strong, soldiers in Your service as we protect and guard those around us from evil. Give us the faith and tenacity to keep our lamps lit, eyes vigilant, hearts free from evil and eyes set on the glory of Your kingdom alone.

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(c) 2026 E. Jane Rutter