Humbled Beyond Measure

Hi everyone. This is GG posting tonight. The Gasperini-Ville blogmaster has permitted me to take control of the keyboard for tonight’s message.

As so many of you know, last November I received orders from the Army mobilizing me to active duty from inactive reserve status. This mobilization was for the purpose of sending me back to Iraq for a second combat tour. The orders were quite a surprise and immediately became a source of anxiety for our family.

Shortly after receiving the orders, I submitted paperwork to the Army requesting an exemption or delay of the mobilization based on my desire to avoid disrupting my law school education and to avoid the dangers that would arise during combat from a preexisting medical issue with my shoulder.

For the past eight months we have been living month by month as the review process progressed. Twice my appeal had been denied, the most recent being two weeks ago. Our family became resigned to the apparent likelihood of my return to Iraq, and we had begun to make preparations. The prospect of hitting the pause button on our civilian life for almost two years was not one we looked forward to—but we were ready to perform whatever duty was required of us.

Today, however, we experienced an unexpected reversal of fortune. Today I was informed that the final Army appellate authority has decided to grant me an exemption from the deployment orders and discharge me from reserve status. In other words, I will not be returning to Iraq, nor will I be mobilized in the future. This news has been received, as you might imagine, with great relief in Gasperini-Ville.

We have experienced an incredible range of emotions today, as has been the case since this situation began last November. As we reflect on everything, we are most struck with a profound sense of God’s grace. Though we worked hard to put forth a convincing appeal, I am no more deserving of an exemption than any other veteran who has suddenly found his or her life interrupted by an involuntary return to a far-away combat zone. We have been so blessed by this news, and by the future it allows our family to pursue—but there is nothing I or B have done that entitles us to that promising future. The life we lead, the children we raise, the faith we share—none of it is of our own making. All of this is simply God’s unmerited favor. It is grace, and we are deeply, deeply grateful.

That gratitude is matched by our immeasurable thankfulness for the overwhelming outpouring of prayer and support over the past eight months. It is breathtaking to realize how many prayers have been offered on our behalf by our extended faith family. Unknown numbers of Christian brothers and sisters, many we will never know, have been prayer warriors for our family throughout this period. Countless intercessions by and to family, friends, the communion of saints, and the Blessed Mother have been offered for the Gasperinis. What a testament it is to sit here tonight and experience the fruits of that faithful solidarity. We are humbled, and we are grateful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

As we go forward, we in Gasperini-Ville are mindful of the great responsibility we have to use this blessing to glorify God. To borrow from a popular saying, ‘With great blessings comes great responsibility.’ Whatever that responsibility, we will only be able to achieve it with the continued intervention of the Holy Spirit, and it will be our continued prayer to faithfully and openly receive the Spirit into our lives. Additionally, we in Gasperini-Ville remain acutely aware of the hardships being faced by thousands of military families across this country. We honor their sacrifice and their fortitude. We will continue to offer them up in prayer, and seek ways to support the troops and their families until this challenge is done.

Thank you all, and God Bless.