For the first six months of my son’s tour in Iraq, we had no way to see him. We wrote letter after letter, trying to stay upbeat, and he would respond in the same manner. 
 
When his unit established their base of operation, my son had email access, and we were soon communicating to the ping of instant messenger. Technology is amazing, and one night, my son’s face just popped up on the screen—courtesy of a webcam. 
 
He looked so different. His spark was gone, and we saw helplessness and confusion in his face. I wanted to just reach through the computer and hold him. Completely desperate, he told us, “I don’t know what to do. This is too much.”   
 
We told him, “Now is the time to turn everything over to God. He will get you through.”  We sent him a Bible with notes of love and God’s love for him. He in turn sent home photographs he had taken. 
 
This painting is based on one of those photographs. My son’s expression shows it all: It was a desperate moment, but it was also the beginning of a journey back to God.