It has been a privilege to minister to the military community for the last forty years. It is no secret to anyone who knows us that we love reaching out to the young men and women who serve in the military. We write about it often. Young people who are in the military are often in need of a home-cooked meal, a place to hang out, Christian fellowship, a place to talk about the difficulties of life away from home and the specific difficulties of serving in the military. When we were in the Navy and in Japan back in 1976, it was this ministry that was so meaningful to us. Hospitality to the military community is a gift that we received when we were in Japan, and for the last forty years, it is a gift we have given.
However, the work of God goes both ways. We, too, need a place to talk about some of the difficulties that we face, and often it is these
same young men and women who have such a powerful ministry in our lives.
Saturday night I was unable to sleep. My mind was working like a pinball machine as my thoughts bounced between thoughts of inadequacies, sin in my life, careless words I had spoken, being misunderstood and unappreciated. I also was feeling guilty that I was feeling these things. I “know” that God loves me, that He has forgiven me, and he will use all of these circumstances for His glory. But knowing these was not enough to eliminate the painful feelings inside my head. I was a mess.
After chapel on Sunday, as is our custom, we went out to lunch with several Airmen. After some small talk a couple of the Airmen asked sincerely about how I was doing. I was slow to open up. It is frightening to tell others how you are really doing when you aren’t doing well and “know” you should be doing better. But I began to talk about some of the mess in my heart and the crazy thoughts that were bouncing off the sides of my brain.
The Airmen listened carefully, compassionately, without judgment, and asked great questions. It would have been clear to anyone observing the conversation that I was in need of their ministry. As our time came to an end, I felt loved, cared for, and valued. Hospitality isn’t just a gift we give to the Airmen, it is a gift they often give back to us.
We love all the Airmen who are part of our lives and are thankful for the opportunity to minister to them. But we are aware that they love us as well, and often they are the ones who minister to us.
So many professional relationships are clear and one sided: Doctor/Patience, Therapist/Client, Pastor/Parishioner, Teacher/Student. This is NOT inappropriate and can often be very helpful. But our ministry with Airmen feels mutual. Often we are in a position to minister to these young Airmen. We are older, have more resources, more life experience, and perhaps a bit more wisdom. But they have youth, optimism, and a sense of adventure. We need them as much as they need us.
We love our ministry to the military community. Not only do we have the opportunity to share our gifts with them, but we also have the opportunity to receive their gifts to us.
I pray that this Christmas you would be sensitive to all the gifts God would want you to give others. I also pray that you would be open to receiving all the gifts that God, and others around you, have to give to you.
