Wordless Wednesday

Thoughts...

I have been feeling a little "beat up" by the Word lately...my selfish heart is definitely getting pounded. Sometimes I feel like there isn't any more of me left to give...and I forget to let Christ take control.

He has been stretching me and teaching me and guiding me in paths that I never dreamed I would take, but I am interested to see where the journey leads.

So when I feel like I am not enough (which I am not), I need to truly depend on Christ and allow Him to be enough.

If you are reading this, please pray for me this moment. That I will continue to allow God to lead and not make plans that are not His will. If you know me, you know that is my struggle...I like to have everything planned out and all of my ducks in a row.

I can still plan...I just can't forget to check in with the Master Planner first!

Have a blessed week!

Show Some Gratitude...

The Military Wife

I found this online, but the author is unknown....


Dear Military Wife,

I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news.

I have never had to let go of someone so that they could go fight for people that they didn't know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for. I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven't heard from my husband. I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one that I loved so.

I have never had to tell my children that daddy wasn't coming home tonight because he was so far away fighting for something that they aren't yet old enough to understand. I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before my loved one gets to come home.

I have never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I thought I would share every day of my life with.

And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the news that everyone is terrified of getting.

For the reasons listed above, I can not tell you that I understand how you feel. I can not tell you that you must be strong. I can not say that you shouldn't be angry, because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man". I can not say these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.

What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another soldier" - I will never have to walk in your shoes.

I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do it, until now. I have figured out that you are not like other women. You are of a special breed. You have a strength within you that holds life together in the darkest of hours, a strength of which I will never possess. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America.

You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American.

I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but until recently I never thought much about those that the soldier leaves at home during deployment.

Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America meant to me.

Until this moment, I had no real reason to.... Until I heard of you.

Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from those who wish to hurt us...but you and those like you are the backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and the hearts alive while most would just break completely down. Military families make this nation what it is today.

You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

Because of you and your family...I am able to be me. I am able to have my family. I am able to walk free in this great land. Because of you and your family, I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that life is going to be okay. Because of you and your family, I can awake to a new day, everyday.

I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you to you and your family for allowing me that freedom.

I will never be able to repay this debt to you, as it is unmatchable. However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are...what you are doing...what has happened today...or what will happen tomorrow...Your husband will NEVER be "just another soldier" to me.... And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.

You are all in my prayer's everyday and I pray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.

May God Bless You!

Happy Birthday, J!

Dear Jonathan,

It is hard to believe that you are 8 years old today. It seems like I cannot even remember our life without you. You have brought us so much joy.

I know that you are getting older every day, and every day brings more changes; but I hope and pray that you keep the sweet, kind spirit you have as well as your joy in life. You are so very special...one of a kind. God has great plans for you, my son. Always keep your eyes and heart focused on Him. You will never be alone with Christ by your side.

Daddy and I love you so much!

Happy Birthday!!! Eight is GREAT!!!

Love, Mommy

Wonder Women...the Military Wives

My husband Tim has such a burden for the military. He is currently in seminary at Liberty, pursuing a M.Div in chaplaincy so he can be a Navy chaplain. This burden led him to start the MANA Military Ministry at Thomas Road.

At first, we thought that the ministry might reach out to the ROTC guys or the Nat. Guard guys at the local armory, as well as chaplain candidates at the seminary. Turns out that God has other plans so far.

The military wives.

This group of courageous women, most with young children, are here in Lynchburg while their husbands are in boot camp or getting ready to be deployed. Such a void is left behind when their husbands leave. Who will mow the grass? Who will keep me safe at night? Will I ever have a moment to myself again? How do I really know what to expect? These questions, along with many others, are difficult questions that the military wife has to ask herself.

So now, we are faced with how we can help them. What are their needs that we as a church can meet? There are moments when I am overwhelmed at the task. My heart reaches out to them, but sometimes I wonder if the task is bigger than I am...and it is. It is God-sized.

So would you pray along with me that God would send those who are best to minister to these Wonder Women? Pray for them...for safety for their husbands and peace in their hearts while they are away.