Over the past seventeen months I have witnessed many airport reunions. I’ve seen signs, balloons, matching clothing, flowers and many other variations in between. I’ve watched the anticipation. I’ve even, on occasion, felt the flood of emotion splash over me as I’ve observed a military family greet a husband/father/son/grandson/friend that has come home from serving our country.

I am quite certain that in nearly every case, the internet and cellular technology have kept the parties connected in a very “real time” fashion.  Whether the separation was a matter of hours, days, weeks, months or years… silence was not what filled the void. There were words in between. Probably lots of them.

But words don’t embrace. Words don’t smell like cologne or perfume. Words don’t have a pulse. Words leave some of our senses on the sidelines.

That’s why a face to face reunion escalates a personal connection to a unique and powerful level.  It transforms communication into celebration.  You’re here.  I’m here.  We’re together.  Sight, sound, speech… taste, touch and smell are all engaged.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14

Hundreds of years of words, signs, and symbols exploded into a union with flesh and blood. Jesus.

And at that moment… everything changed.

Isaiah had announced it:

He will tend his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms…

Jesus lived and modeled it:

And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. ~ Mark 10:16

So that we would know how to practice it:

"Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep." ~ John 21:16

The Word. Became. Skin. Appendages that touch. Hands that tend. Hearts that connect. An explosion of words and ways.

The cosmic reunion. 
Faith in action. Love that embraces.

Inspiration and imperative.