"I'll be there"... apparently, according to Wikipedia, there are more than 17 songs throughout American history that have these words as the title. These words bring comfort, whenever they are said in sincerity, especially from a trustworthy source.
I thought about these words as I read verses from Psalm 91, where words are written describing God Himself speaking to the psalmist.
"Because he has loved Me, I will save him.
I will set him securely on high because he has known My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
I will satisfy him with a long life,
And show him My salvation." -----Psalm 91:14-16, NASB
Does that not sound like God is basically telling the psalmist, "I'll be there"?
I've worked in public education, both as a PE teacher, and school resource officer, and I have known many a child to come from a fatherless home. I can't help but think of the words I wrote in my book about my father's own life, and how he grew up without a father. I remember my dad telling me how after getting to finally meet his father at the age of 9, and knowing he was around town, but then suddenly disappearing again - Dad told me that since his job was to check the mail every day, for just a little while, he would go to pick up the mail at the post office, hoping that a letter would come from that dad who'd never been there... but that letter never came.
I remember writing this, as I reminisced about my own childhood in sports, and one basketball game in particular where my dad was asked to leave by the referees. I had this to say;
"Looking back, I’m glad Dad reacted the way he did. Would I rather him be involved and interested, and make a mistake or two along the way by not being the perfect fan? Or would I rather there have been an empty seat right there beside my mom?"
-----Dear America... Love, My Hero's Son, Jason E. Fort 2023
We all want assurance. We all need assurances and presence. The good news is that any one of us can have that assurance, and that presence, if we just know where to put our trust. Some of us were blessed with the chance to have both parents there, whenever we needed them. My father was like that in our family, along with our dear sweet mom. I posted the picture above because it is just a brief example of some of my favorite memories of 'being there' for my own son.
But as a father of that same son, all grown up now and serving his country thousands of miles away, reality hits harder some days than others, and I catch myself praying harder some nights than others. I pray hard that he knows that since I can't be there like I always have been, because he is so far away, there is still a Father in Heaven who is always there. I pray hard that I remember that He is always there for me, too. I pray hard that more and more people realize this about Him.
"I'll be there." Yes! Those are awesome words. It is kind of funny; I believe it was the Jackson 5 who originally sang, "Just call my name, and I'll be there." (I can still hear the old replays, with young Michael shouting in the middle of the singing, "Just look over your shoulder, honey!")
If you are one of those people who grew up in a single parent home, or if you have already lost your parents on this side of Heaven - it's ok, because we have a Father in Heaven who wants us to know He is there. He is our refuge; He is our strength. But we also have to remember that He is the God of the universe. He accepts us, if we accept Him, at His Word. And what does His Word say? The Bible tells us that it was Jesus Christ who said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6, NASB).
But even then, Jesus also said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst" (Matthew 18:20, NASB).
Just more random thoughts by this old man, as I sit and ponder about what the future holds, missing my son as he serves his country. I guess I will have a lot more nights like this, where something reminds me of our soldier overseas.
I might not be right there beside you son - but God is.
And you can bet your bottom dollar, that when my boy comes back home to the USA, and friends and family are ready to welcome him through some archway or threshold at the airport - I'll be there, too.
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