FAITH TO BELIEVE - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Terry ushered Cassidy through the doors of their church. He had preached many sermons there before his orders had taken him away.
The chaplain came from the front of the sanctuary to meet him and shake his hand. “Chaplain Kearney. Do my eyes deceive me? We thought you were dead.”
Terry had a possessive hold on Cassidy. “Chaplain Prescott, it’s good to be back. You won’t be able to kill me before the Lord wills it. I’m here for the long haul, and besides, with a wife like Cassidy, and a delightful daughter like Maddie. My cup overflows.”
“You’re an obvious praise report. Will you tell us a bit about your experiences this morning?” Chaplain Prescott said.
“I came prepared,” Terry said.
Cassidy looked at him. “When did you have time to prepare?”
He gave her a knowing look, a smile on his face. “I’m always prepared when it comes to the Lord’s work.”
Chaplain Prescott looked between the two of them. “Good. Mrs. Kearney I see that I don’t have to ask if you’re happy he’s back.”
Cassidy looked from Chaplain Prescott to Terry a big smile on her face. “Oh I’m most happy.”
“Where’s Maddie?” Chaplain Prescott said.
“With my parents. They should be here soon,” Cassidy said.
“Do your own parents know that you’re home?” Chaplain Prescott said.
“I gave them a call to let them know that I’m alive and well,” Terry said.
“When did you do that?” Cassidy said.
“Before I made you breakfast Friday morning.”
The door opened at that moment and Maddie rushed through. “Daddy!”
She was in his arms and gave him a big hug and kiss in the next moment. “Good morning Moppet. Have you been good for your grandparents?”
“Yup!” She nodded her head as she clung to his neck.
Terry never expected to feel so emotionally protective about anyone other than Cassidy, but he would do anything for Madeline. If she wanted him to go to the moon, and bring it back, he would petition NASA to be on the next flight.
“I see that you don’t have to worry about her accepting you,” Chaplain Prescott said.
“It was instant love,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy’s parents were right behind as they came in the door. Her mother looked at Madeline in his arms. “He’s all she talked about all weekend.”
“We went to the zoo yesterday, and she told everyone she saw that her daddy was home,” her father said.
“Did you have fun at the zoo?” Cassidy said.
“Yup!” She looked into Terry’s eyes, her little arms still around his neck. “You go too?”
“Maybe we’ll go together next weekend. How’s that?” Terry said.
“Yup!”
Terry set her on the floor and found her hand firmly clasped in his own. He looked over at Cassidy, and felt his world was complete again.
People entered and went up to him to welcome him back when they saw him with Chaplain Prescott in the middle of the aisle.
The musicians took their place and he felt the familiar settle around him, as he gave voice to the songs he had last sung in prison.”
Chaplain Prescott took his place behind the podium. “We are grateful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for bringing back to us Chaplain Kearney.” There was unanimous applause as everyone welcomed him back. “I’ve asked Chaplain Kearney to give us a report on how God took care of him while he was away from us.” He turned to Terry. “Chaplain Kearney?”
Terry made his way forward, and Madeline yelled out. “That’s my daddy!”
There were titters and applause as he took his place behind the podium, and opened his Bible before he looked out at the sea of familiar and new faces around him. His eyes rested lovingly on Cassidy and Madeline, and he felt truly blessed.
“Thank you for your very warm welcome. I’m very, very happy to be home.” Without looking down at the reference he had opened in front of him, he began. “Psalms 107:1-3: ‘O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.’
“Since September 11, 2001, we have entered into a new era of warfare. Our enemies are fearless. Forget what war was. The death camps of Germany in World War II are no comparison. The war movies of that era, as bad as war was then, cannot compare with what takes place in a prison camp today. I know. That is where I have spent the past four years. Because of God’s grace and mercy I can stand before you today.”
No one spoke, or even whispered, as he stood before them. He had their complete attention.
“Our helicopter was shot out of the sky, and burst into a giant fireball on impact. We should have died, but just like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, spoken of in Daniel, no one was hurt. In fact, no one knows how we escaped it without so much as a mark on our bodies. We only know the Lord’s protection kept us alive.
“That was the first instance of God’s protection in keeping us safe. The second was when they captured us. We were a group of twelve people, ten men and two women. When they captured us, we were all amazed that they didn’t recognize the women with us as women, and in the ensuing four years, remained unmolested. They also seemed to be blind to the fact that I had not one Bible, but two Bible’s with me. Neither was confiscated.
“That is not to say that our life in the prison camp was an easy one. General William Tecumseh Sherman, of the Civil War era, said that war is hell. It is, and getting more gruesome with the passage of time, and new technology. Our captors took the meaning of torture to new levels. They developed it with all the enthusiasm of a scientist looking for a new cure.
“Just as the Roman’s were skilled in the art of crucifixion in Jesus day, so too, the terrorists we deal with today are just as skilled in what they do. They killed or tortured someone every day. Women were raped, not the women in our group, but others that were there. If they wanted to they killed just to kill, and they did.
“Forget the rules of war for military prisoners. Forget the Geneva Convention. It doesn’t exist for those people. They love what they do. They hate the American’s, the English, and anyone else who stands for freedom and democracy.
“All the allied countries were represented in the prison camp. We all had one goal, to go home, home to our loved ones and families, home to the familiar, Mom’s apple pie, and baseball. We wanted to stand on soil that meant freedom. We never forgot the country we fought for or the religious values our forefathers founded this country on.
“Every man and woman, who raised their hand in pledge to this country, knows why we fight this war. They call it a holy war. We fight for God and country. We fight to keep freedom alive in these United States of America. We fight to keep our children safe. We fight for our wives, and we fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. If anyone doubts that, just ask any soldier in this room why he wears the uniform of the United States of America. Ask the people who were wounded or disabled why they salute the flag of our country. Ask the parents of the young men and women why they willingly let their sons and daughters enlist in the service of this great country. For this country is a great country. We are the only country in the world that has a government based on a democracy, and not a monarchy, that has had the same constitution since we fought for freedom the first time against England almost three hundred years ago. Now England fights by our side, to defend what we fought so hard for way back then, the right to be free, the right to worship as we choose, the right to say whatever we want, the right to publish our thoughts and feelings, the right to live free. They don’t have the same freedoms and they fight hard to take them away from us. We won’t be defeated because God is at the core of this country’s democracy. People here may have tried and in some cases succeeded in taking God out of most of our public institutions, but you will still hear a prayer prayed inside the hallowed halls of the Congress and Senate. You will still put your hand on the Bible in a court of law, and promise that what you say will be the truth, so help you God.
“Why do we fight? We have to. If we don’t we will all perish, and this country will know the loss of every kind of freedom.
“Because I was in that prison camp, I can tell you first hand that God was also there. Even though we were tortured, we weren’t hurt. Even though they cut our rations, or we received no food at all, God still provided.
“Every day I gave a sermon in the morning along with worship, praise, and prayer, and every night I did the same.
“Everyday more numbers came to the cross of Jesus Christ. For some it was moments before they stood before the throne of God as an executioner took their lives.
“The final manifestation of God’s protection was our release. It was right after the morning service. We heard the planes droning in the distance just as I was ready for my first close to my sermon. All believers and new believers gathered in one place. Zechariah 9:8 says it this way: ‘And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.’ I can tell you that when I started my sermon there was nothing out of the ordinary, but shortly before I drew to the close of the sermon, the air grew still and quiet and a great peace seemed to settle on everyone. At that point, I would not have been surprised to see the Captain of the Host in our midst. We could feel His presence all around us.
“The planes drew near our location, and we could see the bombs drop from the planes. Everyone outside our group scattered like roaches. The buildings were torn apart, and the dead lay everywhere around us, but we were unharmed.
“When the planes departed out of range, we simply walked out of the prison camp. There was no one left to stop us, and just like Peter was led out by an angel, so we too also had an angel with us to direct our way. He led us right to an airfield where a plane simply waited for our arrival.
“When our Captain talked to the pilot of the plane, he was told that he had orders to go to that airfield, and wait for a group of prisoners that were being released that day.
“I know that there may be some skeptics here that won’t believe what I’ve said here. When I left here four years ago, we were twelve men and women with a very important mission, and when we left, we were still twelve people, and a whole lot more that the Lord brought into His kingdom. You may wonder: Did we complete our mission? The answer to that is yes. We completed our mission, and when it was finished, the Lord brought us home again, safe and unhurt, back to our families. I am very happy to be alive, and joined again with my wife, and the daughter I knew nothing about before I left, and know that our mission was a complete success.
“I give God the praise and glory for His complete protection of us.”
Everyone was quietly astounded by his revelation, and then everyone was on their feet in a thunderous applause.
Terry started to head back to his seat, but Chaplain Prescott stopped him with a hand on his arm. “One moment Chaplain Kearney, how long were you in that prison camp?”
“One thousand five hundred and fifty-four days. That works out to four years six months and three days. I was separated from my wife one thousand six hundred and eight days.”
“You know the exact number of days?” a woman said.
Terry looked at Cassidy. “How long was I gone?”
“One thousand six hundred and eight of the worst days of my life.”
“You kept count?” the same woman said.
“I kept count by marking off on a calendar every day he was gone. At the end of one year, I started over again, and just kept the count until Thursday, when he finally came home again.”
“You had him declared dead though shortly after your little girl was born,” another woman said.
“Something I’m very happy to say wasn’t officially recognized,” Cassidy said.
“Amazing,” another woman said.
“The true torture was being away from Cassidy. Not what they thought they could do to me,” Terry said.
“You said that there were twelve people in your group. Did all of your group accept the Lord as their Savior?” a man at the back of the room said.
“Another common statement is that there aren’t any atheists in a fox hole. That was certainly true of our group. If they weren’t believers before we left, the fact that we all survived the fireball in the crash of our helicopter without a scratch, made them all instant believers in God. Everything else that happened was just the icing on the cake that proved His love and protection of us.”
“How long ago were you released from the camp?” a man said.
“Counting today. Thirty-two days ago.”
“And you didn’t come straight home? If you loved your wife as much as you claim, where were you?” a woman said.
“We were all in isolation at a military hospital for thirty days. We were without telephones, so we couldn’t call, not that we could anyway. We had strict orders not to. I’m sure it was to protect our wives from the possibility that our calls were some kind of hoax until we were able to come home.”
“I think we can give God praise and glory for his return to us. Thank you Chaplain Kearney,” Chaplain Prescott said.
The congregation was on its feet as he went back to his seat, and applauded not only God for his return, but the fact that he was back with them, safe and unhurt.
“After that testimony, the only thing left is the altar call. In view of God’s supreme protection of His children at home or on the front lines, can anyone here doubt God loves them, and takes care of them? Chaplain Kearney is an example of His love and protection. If there is anyone here who wants to make Jesus their Lord and Savior, raise your hand and come forward,” Chaplain Prescott said.
Several people went forward to pledge their lives to Jesus Christ. Chaplain Prescott motioned for Terry to join him as they prayed the salvation prayer with them.
Terry laid hands on the new believers emotionally overcome. God’s goodness never ceased to amaze him.
After the service, Terry was outside with his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Jaczinski.
“Do you still want us to keep Maddie for the afternoon?” her mother said.
“If you don’t mind. We just want to spend time with each other. We’re planning a celebration with her tomorrow after work,” Cassidy said.
“I can understand that,” her father said.
“Do you mind staying with Grandma and Grandpa this afternoon?” Cassidy said.
“Nope. Black had a baby. You have a baby too?” Madeline said.
Cassidy colored brightly and Terry nearly laughed as her parents did their best to keep a straight face.
When Cassidy regained her composure, she looked at her mother. “When did Black foal?”
“Just last night. Your father was with her in the barn most of the night.”
“It’s a boy,” Madeline said.
“So it’s a colt. Black like his mother?” Cassidy said.
“With white on his nose,” Madeline said.
“So it looks like you want to spend the day with the pony. Did you name him yet?” Terry said.
Madeline put her finger on the side of her face, and looked off at the sky as though she thought hard.
Terry had to smile at her. He had seen Cassidy do the same thing on a number of occasions both before and after they had been married. She had looked up at the stars, her finger on her face before she had looked back at him with her answer. Her eyes had shown as bright as the stars overhead. ‘Yes, I will marry you.’ Just like Madeline’s did.
Madeline looked at him, and her eyes fairly danced. “Star Duster.”
Cassidy laughed and hugged her. “That’s a perfect name.”
Madeline looked up at her. “Yup!”
“Does the name have some significance?” Terry said.
“It’s the name of one of the ponies in the My Pony set. She has all of them,” Cassidy said.
“I see,” Terry said.
Her father looked at Terry. “Nice hair cut.”
“It’s starting to grow back in, but it will be awhile,” Terry said.
“How was the hotel?” her mother said.
“Wonderful. Thanks mom,” Cassidy said.
“It was our pleasure. If you want some time to yourselves again, just say so,” her mother said.
“I think after today, we’ll work on being the kind of family God wants us to be,” Cassidy said.
“We’ll be on our way then. Have a good afternoon, and we’ll see you after supper,” her father said.
“Thanks Mom, Dad.” Cassidy gave them each a hug and turned to leave with Terry.
Terry pulled out of the church parking lot. “Want to go out for lunch?”
“Followed by an intimate afternoon?”
“Of course. We can’t have that baby brother or sister that Maddie keeps asking for if we don’t.” He looked at her and saw that her eyes shown with love and expectation.
“Mm sounds delicious.”
“I agree.” He changed the subject as he kept his eyes on the road. “We’re going to have to get another car. With two jobs it will be nearly impossible with one car.”
“When do you want to go car shopping?”
“How about after work tomorrow, then we can go for pizza after.”
“What kind of car did you have in mind?”
“Minivan, SUV, something big enough for a family.”
“Sounds like you want a large family.”
“I know that I won’t stop loving you until the stars fall out of the sky, and eternity has come to an end.”
“You’re a lot more outspoken about your love than you were before you left. Looks like there were some advantages to being in that prison camp.”
“The only advantage is that I don’t take anything for granted anymore. I intend to show and tell you that I love you every day for the rest of my life.”
“Looks like we’re going to need a bigger house as well.”
“We’ll start looking for that too, but I wouldn’t be too hasty about that. I may be getting new orders before the end of the year. Where would you like to go?”
“I don’t care where I live as long as you’re there with me.”
“And that I guarantee you will always be. Just promise me that you won’t declare me dead again when I leave for an extended period of time.”
“I promise to wait until I get the telegram next time, but I’m praying for a good long life with you, and all our grandchildren.”
He pulled into the restaurant parking lot. “It will have to be a good long life. Especially as I intend to keep you pregnant for the next ten or so years.”
“Ten or more kids?”
“It can’t be helped. I love you to all distraction.”
“There is such a thing as birth control.”
“You would control the blessings of God?”
She looked at him. “No I guess not. As long as you will be with me from now on to help me raise them, and take your place as the head of the home.”
He leaned over to kiss her before he got out of the car. “As much as I’m able.”
“If you plan to keep me pregnant so much, maybe I should pray that you get stationed on board a ship, or are gone for a space of time, just to give me a break.”
He looked at her and saw the sparkle in her eyes. “You don’t mean that.”
“No I don’t mean that. I want you by my side as much as possible.”
“That I can guarantee. I will be there as much as possible, and when I’m not, I know that I will have your prayers to see me home again.”
“Without doubt.”
He got out and went around to help her out of the car, and escorted her inside to an intimate dinner, which led to a very intimate afternoon.
Later Madeline rushed into the house and straight into her father’s arms, and gave him a big hug and kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too Moppet. Did you have a good day with Star Duster?”
“Yup! He’s all wobbly.”
“He will be for a while. I bet the next time you go over there that he’ll be running all over the corral,” Terry said.
She got down out of his arms, and went to the corner of the living room and pulled out a game. “Will you play a game with me?”
Terry looked at the name of the game. ‘Life.’ “Isn’t that a bit old for her?”
“She likes it. We tried an easier one, but she was easily bored by it,” Cassidy said.
“Well let’s get the table set up,” Terry said.
Madeline took the game to the table, and set it there before she climbed into her chair and waited until all the game pieces were set out.
As the game, progressed Terry could easily see why she was so interested in a baby brother or sister. Her eyes glowed when her piece got a husband.
Madeline looked up at him, her eyes danced with her enthusiasm for the game. “He’s like you.”
“You mean the man who married your playing piece?” Terry said.
“That’s me. That’s you. He’s like you. You love Mommy. I marry you.”
Amazed by her, her innocence constantly tugged at Terry’s heartstrings.
“Looks like the feelings among the women in this family are unanimous,” Cassidy said.
He looked at her, and was instantly lost in the look of love in her eyes. His women, one his wife, the other his daughter. He had fought for them, and would do it again, willingly. “Yes. Well let’s play. Madeline has to go to bed soon.”
“Moppet.” Madeline had a hand on her hip as she looked at him with a stern look on her face.
“Moppet,” Terry said.
She gave him a big grin, and her eyes shown with pleasure. Eyes that looked just like Cassidy’s did.
The game continued to the end. Madeline had acquired several children, while they did as well. The game of life with all its incongruities, and unexpected twists and turns, but nothing had prepared any of them for the turn in each of their lives.
Madeline gave him a kiss and hug after he read her a story, and tucked her into bed. “Pleasant dreams Moppet.”
“I know what I want for Christmas,” Madeline said.
“What’s that?” Terry said.
“A baby brother or sister. I’ll let God choose.”
Cassidy looked at Terry, as he looked back at her. Their thoughts he knew were the same. It would be a lovely Christmas present. Cassidy looked down at her. “It’s not up to us when we will have a baby.”
“God will make it work. I will talk to Jesus,” Madeline said.
“You do that Moppet. I know that God listens especially to the prayers that children pray.”
“Yup! Goodnight.” She turned on her side, closed her eyes, and was instantly asleep.
They looked at her so innocent in her trust and faith in God. Terry led Cassidy to their room, and took her in his arms. “How could we have such a perfect little girl?”
“Want to work on another perfect little girl, or would you like to try for a son this time?”
“Mm.” He gave her a kiss, as he firmly closed the door, though he had no doubt Madeline would sleep through the night.