By Mike Easter, mission partner candidate in California

“A calming presence in the midst of life’s storms” is a phrase that could easily be reduced to one word: “chaplain.” Chaplains are called upon to be the visible, tangible presence of God in many of life’s situations. This month I received a call that all army chaplains prepare for but do not want to get. As we were preparing to leave for an outreach at our church, my phone rang with the news of a casualty notification in my area. A soldier had died in Afghanistan, and his father needed to be notified.

The first calming presence God allowed me to be was for the staff duty chaplain who called. He sounded noticeably relieved when I responded that yes, I was available for the mission. It meant removing myself from my family’s plans for the evening and most likely the weekend as well. Often notifications don’t end with breaking the bad news – the ministry can continue for several days, even up to officiating at the funeral and following up with the family after.

I prepared myself mentally as I put on my dress blue uniform, waiting for the call with further instructions. Once dressed, I then went into God’s Word and prayer. I read several passages that offered God’s comfort and hope for the grieving family and prayed for God’s strength to be the calming presence for this family whose world had just been turned upside down.

After an hour of waiting and brief phone conversations with the casualty notification officer, I received another phone call advising me to “stand down” – the mission had been cancelled because we learned that the father had been notified by other family members. I thanked the notification officer and blessed him for his work. I then thanked God and prayed some more for the fallen soldier’s family.

Less than a week later, I was serving as the calming presence in another somewhat chaotic but this time joyous family event. I was honored to officiate at a newly commissioned army lieutenant’s wedding to his beautiful young bride. The nervousness and joy were clear on the couple’s faces as they looked into each other’s eyes, probably not hearing a word I said but still able to repeat their vows after me. It was my first wedding as anything other than a groom, and I again thanked God for His strength that calmed my nerves and allowed me to share His love with those in attendance.