Pastor's Blog

FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN    

A week ago Saturday, I took my daughter to the train station in Huntington, and put her on a train headed for Washington D.C.  She was going as part of a journalism course she is taking at the high school.  There were about 15 kids and seven chaperones.  Now, my daughter is 16 years old, and many were there among the group saying, "Don't worry.  We'll take care of her."  To be honest, I really didn't feel too worried.  Sure.  I am concerned about my daughter travelling without her mother or me, but there were several things that kept me from being too anxious for her.

How would I know she was safe?  Well, thanks to modern technology, everyone seems to have a cell phone.  At least, everyone in my family has their own phone.  So, at a moments notice, I will know exactly what she is doing at any time.  Then, I noticed that the conductor of the train is a friend of mine.  In fact, he graduated from good ole Milton High just a couple years ahead of me.  His daughter is in the band with my kids, so it was comforting to see that for much of my daughter's trip, a familiar face would be near.  

I was standing by the train as they prepared to leave when my conductor friend came over and introduced me to another staff person on the train.  It turns out that this other conductor knew my dad from where my dad worked on the railroad many years ago.  In fact, he had worked for my dad.  It was neat to see former fellow workers of my father, and it was comforting to know that there are connections to be found no matter where we go.

Jesus said, "lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen."  Because I know that Jesus has His very best in mind for me, and because I know that my daughter gave her heart to the Lord several years ago, I know that there is a common friend that we share who will be with my little girl no matter how far away she goes from me.  

Lord, thank you for your promise, and thank you for staying close to my daughter.  Thank you for friends and familiar faces, and thank you for your presence because no matter where we go, you are there.