Thanks
Since I deployed to Iraq, I have found many things for which I am thankful. Although, it wasn't until I landed in Dallas on my mid-tour leave that I truly realized how much I had to be thankful for. As soon as I felt the plane land, I realized that I haven't been this close to home in 6 months. I was more than excited by this point and ready to finish the last leg of my journey. The only thing that stood between my family and me was transferring my luggage and a 50-minute hop to Killeen, Texas. This was all I had on my mind as I stepped off the plane. I didn't want food; I didn't want to change cloths. All I wanted to do was board the next plane, the last plane. However, that wasn't the case. Instead, I found myself being directed through corridor after corridor, from one empty terminal to the next. I couldn't understand where we were going or why. Along the way, I must have past a half dozen signs that read "To baggage claim". "Why does the Army have to make everything so difficult," I screamed inside my head. "Why can't we just go straight to baggage claim?" Shortly after, I began to hear some commotion. Then as we walked through the last corridor, we were all greeted by a lobby full of people cheering and applauding us. It was awing, and I felt over-whelmed to be there. Some people were waving flags and holding signs, while others were shaking hands and hugging ever soldier they could get hold of. There were even pictures being taken as old veterans came by to say "Thank you." I had never been a part of anything like this before and it was somewhat emotional to hear so many loving words of appreciation, especially after being away from home for so long. Now, I was glad that we didn't go straight to baggage claim. You see, I didn't understand why we took the route we did, but some one else did. I didn't like the fact that we weren't going straight to baggage claim, but some one else knew what awaited us. I may not have known or liked what was taking place, but in the end, I was the better for it. I don't always see it as its happening, but I realize afterwards that God takes us in directions we don't always understand. We might see the signs that direct us to the places we want to go, but God sees more. We might think we know what we want, but God knows better, and in the end, we are the better for it. I joined the Army at 34 to try to provide for my family. In the 21 months since I enlisted, I have spent 17 months away from home and am currently finishing a 12-month tour in Iraq. This is not the route I wanted to take in providing for my family. It was never my plan to spend so much time away from the ones I love the most. However, God used this opportunity to do things in my life that exceeded my understanding. God used this path to draw me closer to Himself than I have ever been before. Through these trials, He developed me into the husband I need to be for my wife, the father I need to be for my son, and the man I need to be for Him. I didn't understand why my life turned out the way it did, or where it was leading me. A matter of fact, I prayed constantly for things to be different, and at times even regretted my decision to serve. However, God was able to see into the last corridor when I couldn't. God knew that I would be the better for these trials; and having followed His paths I am thankful to my God for the journey I wish I never had to take. To this, I echo the praise of the angels who fell on their faces before the throne of God, "
Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 7:12 - NASB)."
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Michael D'Urbano
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