My niece Beth married a local boy named Chris Terrell back in early October just as he finished basic training for the Coast Guard. His ship is based in Portsmouth, Virginia and his duties call for six weeks or so of time in port followed by six weeks to 60 days at sea. He ate Thanksgiving turkey a few days early and set sail; the two newlyweds will be reunited toward the end of January, meaning he spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas at sea apart from his new bride.

You can well imagine that Beth has been missing him pretty badly. Christmas Day for her was one big wait until the phone finally rang and she could talk to him while he was enjoying Christmas in Cuba. "Blue Christmas" has been her favorite song this season and I’m sure he’s not faring much better. But at last he’s busy catching bad guys or rescuing lost ones.

I asked Beth how he actually spent Christmas Day and was surprised by her answer. Since they were in a port, most of the crew was off-duty except for those who had sentry detail. They had a big Christmas dinner and then the commander of the ship played Santa Claus. Actually, the Captain is a lady so she played Mrs. Claus but you get the picture. Spouses of the crew had wrapped and sent a few presents for each sailor and the Captain gathered them all together and distributed the presents. Many sent something extra so that the unmarried crew members received something as well. It’s hardly home around the Christmas tree but I’m sure it at least relieved the sting of loneliness a bit.

Most likely I’ll never meet this Captain but as an uncle and as a tax-paying citizen I want to extend my gratitude for her concern for those under her authority. Way out in the middle of nowhere, or in port in Cuba to be exact, she cares enough to try to brighten the day for sailors miles from home. Such kindness and humanity have a way of touching the heart, not only of those sailors, but surely of the families who love them. As believers in Jesus, we have the opportunity to share that kind of grace and care in and through our everyday lives. In this New Year, let’s take advantage of those opportunities all along the way.

Happy New Year and God bless,

Herb Flanders