After almost 53 years now, it's been a very very long road. I guess you could say the only time that I was truly happy was in the Marines. Some things come and go, like the wisps of air that blow through the trees or the memories that drift through our minds, we all have that special place that reminds us of our youth, our fleeting moments that we hold dear.

And then there are the episodes of life that looking back we wish we did better. Many times long forgotten are the moments that we caused pain or discord by misunderstanding the motives or thoughts of others. When our will or pride needed to be put ahead so things would go our way. When the misguided sense of survival took center stage in our thoughts or actions.

When the short sighted temporal benefits outweighed the event and the future was not considered. We've all been there let's just admit that it's all happened before. Someone once said that "no one gets out alive". Death can come in many different ways. Like Jesus once said that it's not the things that go into a man that defiles but what comes out of the heart... (that hurts) Like a rock that splashes in a pool of water, it ripples out until it can't make anymore waves.

How many times have we made mistakes and hurt those around us. How many times have we not measured up or performed our best. Or, how many times have we made bad decisions in life? In the end, it all comes down to conviction. Just like the Word says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Like those pebbles that disrupt the water, we too have fallen short and missed the mark. With the things not said, and the actions that should have not been taken, and the hurt that was blamed, it will be like that rock that instead of the ripples in the water that finally run their course, the memories linger.

We are like the prodigal son (or daughter) that disregards their inheritance and home and sets off on their own but makes many mistakes on the long road of life. Not knowing what lies up ahead, they can only know as they look behind to see where they were. It's at this point that things become clear.

Many years ago, in Okinawa, Japan when I was about 20 years old and stationed there for a year, I had a good friend by the name of Mark Baines Jackson. Sometimes in life you will meet someone who you never forget. Mark was from Branson MO. Long conversations were held discussing philosophy, religion, family and politics. Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Fly like an Eagle (Steve Miller), and Ground Control to Major Tom (David Bowie) were playing on the Armed Forces Radio.

It was a good time on the "Rock".

But, before I got on that freedom bird back to the States, things were said by me that caused damage and hurt. Things that I shouldn't have said. Things that after 30 years I still regret. I was wrong. Very wrong.

I still keep hoping and praying that there will be a reunion and homecoming in God's kingdom someday soon. It will be a time and place where time will stand still. Where apologies can be made and friendships renewed. But most importantly,

where we can still come home...

And Mark Baines Jackson (originally of Branson, Missouri) - if you're still out there - please forgive me man.


Scott Sepanek
TheRaptureCult.com
Shibboleth144@yahoo.com

Some say that internet Christianity is dead. For some of us, it's our only way to reach others. Pls pass this article on to others and ask them to do the same. Maybe someone knows Mark. Kind of like a message in a bottle after so many years...

Thank you from my heart,

Scott