Prayer brings peace to an Air Force cadet's family

It had been a rather tense winter at home with our son. All Edwin's friends had been accepted to a university or college. Finally, in April, Edwin received his letter of acceptance from the United States Air Force Academy. He went to the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a two-day orientation and returned home with military boots in hand.

It was another step in our family's spiritual journey, and we knew God's care was protecting all of us.

Our prayers for our son that winter had been simple but thorough. Our complete trust in his ability to be guided and nurtured by God lifted the heavy burden of concern that we felt for his safety and well-being in the military.

It’s hard to explain to parents whose children choose civilian careers, but when your child decides to become a soldier, you know he or she could easily be sent to a very dangerous assignment or to a place where communication is difficult and you might not get any news for quite a while. Under those circumstances, the only thing you can do to help him or her is to pray.

Even before my son went to the Academy, I began each morning with prayer. Before getting out of bed, I prayed using words from a familiar hymn: "This is the day the Lord hath made; Be glad, give thanks, rejoice; Stand in His presence unafraid, In praise lift up your voice..." This helped me realize that it wasn't "dad or mom's day," in which we were totally responsible for our son's future.

If either Edwin or we as his parents were tempted to think God had left him out of His plan, we just needed a quick reminder from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, a terrific resource book we use for just about every challenge in our family. This statement gave us reassurance as we prayed: "Science reveals the possibility of achieving all good, and sets mortals at work to discover what God has already done ..."

We were all dedicated to our own individual spiritual discoveries of God's provision and plan. We could unite in our efforts through prayer, but this union was not one of separate human wills, praying for what we thought God should provide.

Instead, our prayers were centered on bringing our doubts and concerns right into God's lap—having our questions answered and feeling the security that can only come from a God who is Love.

As we prayed through the winter, we began to feel that comforting divine presence.

When it was time for Edwin to start at the Academy, my husband and I drove out there to be with our son. I was in awe at the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, which provided a magnificent backdrop for this institution.

My husband drove up to the gate and handed the guard a letter permitting us entrance for "in-processing day." When the guard read the letter, he leaned down, M-16 slung across his right shoulder, and looked at my son. He said, "Cadet Edwin Snead, we've been waiting for you. You're the last one to arrive!"

But then the guard added, "Relax, I'm only kidding." His smile and friendly wave convinced our family that there was a place for humor at the Academy.

We escorted our son to Doolittle Hall, but that was as far as we were allowed to go. This was the moment I had anticipated and prayed about for many, many months.

I hugged Edwin tenderly, told him I loved him and shed a few tears. These were not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. I didn't feel any loss or separation. I was at peace with my son's new adventure and spiritual journey, and I know my husband felt the same way.

Outside the building was a stone bridge that the "doolies"—the first year cadets—would cross over, symbolizing the change from civilian life to the military. As we waited for our son to cross the bridge, I noticed a woman filming the event and I asked her if she had a child entering the Academy. She said, "I'm here for a young man's mom. She's an emotional wreck."

As I glanced around the perimeter of the bridge, I couldn't help but notice how many other parents seemed emotionally distraught. I wanted to help these mothers, who were experiencing such unhappiness.

This desire gave my isolated prayers for my son a new dimension. I included all the families of the incoming cadets, as well as those already attending the US Air Force Academy, in my prayers.

Through my study and spiritual development in Christian Science, I have learned that God cares for and maintains all of His creation. There has never been a time—and there never will be a time—when God isn't loving and protecting His children and inspiring them to go forward.

God's gentle assignment for me by the bridge that afternoon was simple. I was to remind myself through prayer of man's identity as His spiritual child, and this includes both men and women. Everyone in His creation has the same address: "kingdom of heaven."

I realized, for myself and all the moms, that although communication with our children during Basic Cadet Training was limited, we truly couldn't be separated by distance or access. Love has a spiritual foundation and is the source of all pure communication.

As I affirmed this spiritual truth, I began to feel the peaceful assurance that would comfort everyone’s heart. I knew these healing ideas would benefit all of us.

When our son crossed the bridge, my husband and I shared a smile and whispered, "We love you, Edwin. Father-Mother God loves you!"

I noticed the moms who had previously been crying uncontrollably were now calm. Smiles had replaced sobbing. Everyone was rejoicing in the anticipation of a new beginning. Families cheered and waved. How happy we were to see all of these young men and women moving forward into lives of service to others.

As my husband and I returned to the car, these words from a hymn came to me as a prayer for the cadets: "Happy the man whose heart can rest, assured God's goodness ne'er will cease. Each day, complete, with joy is blessed, God keepeth him in perfect peace."

God's protective direction:

Science and Health
260:13
590:1

  King James Bible
I Cor. 14:33
Ps. 118:24