Key Word: READINESS

This is a photo of the Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonion, Texas "Airman and Family Readiness Center" where I have an office. I don't spend a lot of time there. To me it is very affirming that I work at a "Readiness Center." While airmen are getting combat ready the folks here, including me, are ensuring that they and their families are ready for the emotional and relational distress of that combat. I don't think I have found a "civilian" counter part to these Centers. We have a lot of different organizations whose missions are to help with our lives each doing a lot of different things. But when I think about being "ready" for what life has for us, I wonder where that place is that readies us for the task? None of them seem to be "the place" such as these centers in the Air Force. We live in a great country where we can know that not only do we send our young men and women into combat, but we do everything we can to ensure that they and their families are ready for the emotional, psychological, financial, and relational distress that goes along with it. You will have to, most often, go to more than one place to get all of this. Thank God our military folks don't have to. Dr. D.

The Price of Freedom

I will not be political, promise. I'm not talking about the military budget, or how large our armed forces are or should be. I'm not talking about the cost of equipment or the cost of our current battles. I'm not even talking about those who paid the ultimate sacrifice or who have been permanently injured in an act of war. I'm talking about the walking wounded -- a label given to those who are physically fine, but pay the price of military service in other ways. You cannot imagine how many children grow up with one parent deployed so much. So much separation. You cannot imagine how many spouses have to "go it alone" so that their partner can serve admirably. You can only imagine how many families and marriages pay the price through separation and divorce and unfaithfulness and disloyalty. It breaks your heart. If you are not part of the military, then thank God that you can go home tonight after work and repair whatever it is that has been hurting your marriage, your family. Someone is paying the price so that you can do that. Spend that price wisely. Dr. D.

Changing Weather

Well, it's HOT, HOT, HOT at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. I was diverted here to attend to airman needs. Stay flexible and remember the weather always changes. So, if the weather always changes, I guess we ought not to hitch our wagons to the weather. If we needed pleasant weather to live thriving lives, I suppose most of us would not. Things change, not just the weather. Not just new places and people, but the folks who are closest to us change too. Resisting that we are different today than we once were or trying to keep others from changing is like trying to hold back the rain when it's raining. Not too cool an idea. So warm or cold, summer or winter, people change, circumstances change, but we love intently just the same. Instead of focusing on what is different focus of the foundational love. Dr. D.

Another Hello

Time rushes by so fast. It is almost frightening. I know I'm older and so it seems faster to me, but I am leaving yet another assignment. I'm trying not to look at it as another good-by3 but another hello. I get a few days at home but I've been called to fill a position for which circumstances have left vacant. It is a repairative assignment. No matter where I go, there are people there and pretty much we're all a lot alike. Take every good chance for another "hello." Like tonight when you get home from work, like tomorrow when you visit with friends, like business associates that we all seem to take for granted. To the people at Moody Air Force Base I say, "Let's not say good-bye, but I'll see you later." To the people in Texas I will meet soon, "Hello, Ya'll, I'm..." Dr. D.

The Good News or the Bad News

It is funny how good news and bad news can sometimes be the same thing. Oh, good news you're doing a great job; bad news you have to move to a new city. Oh, good news your kids are graduating from high school; bad news they are going away to college. Oh, good news it's a sunny day, bad news you work indoors. You see. The other way is true too. Bad news it's gonna rain today, good news the flowers will bloom. Bad news you've had to be away awhile (like seven weeks?), good news is someone back home loves you and there is a reunion coming. Bad news you have to work, good news you are helping people even if only the company, the customers, or the people you work with. The question might be which do you see? The good news or the bad news? It does make a difference. Dr. D.

Missing in Action - Prisoners of War

This is a photo of a reserved dining table at the Moody Air Force Base Dining Facility called the Georgia Pines. What is it? It is a formally dressed table that is reserved for those airmen who are Missing in Action and Prisoners of War. I was so struck by it I had to pass it on to you. These airmen eat every meal with the expectation that their missing comrades will one day return to eat with them. Their table is waiting. Dr. D.

Making an Adjustment

Is there something in life that doesn't take an adjustment? I've talked with airmen, low ranking and officers, who are having difficulty adjusting. Some to marriage, some to the military environment, some to medical conditions. Well, I have one to make also. I'm leaving this assignment at Moody Air Force Base next week. I was to have 8 days at home then go to Ft Bragg which is near home. A calamity elsewhere caused my employer to ask me to leave home sooner and go to another air force base in TEXAS! Go figure? So I have an adjustment to make. Less time at home; moving to another time zone; and no chance of getting home during the assignment AND I have to help out in a problem situation. So, is there something in life that doesn't take an adjustment? I think not. Fortunately for me, I have plenty of experience and I have confidence in my Lord who is with me in every situation. So, I can sit back and relax because I am certain to be able to manage successfully. I believe that about you, too. Regardless of what is happening, you are built to endure and thrive. Dr. D.