With Outstretched Arms

I was at the airport a few days ago to meet my niece who is spending a week with me.  The Arrivals Board indicated her flight had landed and bags were being delivered.  I made my way to the doors where arriving travelers would enter the terminal and chose a spot to wait for Helen.

As I waited, a young man stood near.  Suddenly there was a waving of hands and I looked toward the object of his happiness.  A young woman, pushing a stroller with toddler strapped in, was coming toward him.  The woman was smiling and then the toddler, instantly recognizing her father, leaned forward with her little arms outstretched.  Immediately he knelt down, unstrapped her and lifted her up.  Her smile was wide and her eyes dancing with merriment.  Her father kissed her and hugged her and she giggled in delight and wrapped her arms tightly around him.  I glanced at the mother.  She stood wiping tears from her eyes.  Then her husband drew her near and kissed her firmly.  What sheer delight to observe this trio.  I was also wiping tears from my eyes at the loving sight before me.

As they walked away, all entangled in continued embraces, my eyes continued to fill with tears.  One day, I thought to myself, one day the promise will be fulfilled; one day a glorious reunion will take place.

“…Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven.  And someday, just as you saw Him go, He will return!”  Acts 1:11

“It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.  For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies.  And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die.”  II Corinthians 15:52

“And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame.”  I John 2:28