Welcome Home

You know you're getting old when kids you watched grow up put away childish things and start their lives as adults.

One young man, a boy named Thomas, is someone I've watched grow up in my church over the last nearly-19 years. I watched him as a child, play softball with his dad, and watched him as he became an Eagle Scout. A few years back, he went off to Virginia Tech, graduating last year. He was not involved in last year's tragic shooting.

I was quite surprised to learn, a few months ago, that he had received his commission in the Army and had gone to Afghanistan.

Thankfully, he just returned from Afghanistan --- safely, thank God --- and was joyfully welcomed at today's church service.

Welcome home, Thomas. And thank you for your service.