Saturday, August 22, 2009

Trials and Peace

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart, wanting to hear from my husband...more so, wanting him to be home with me. It's been a long month. It goes by quickly for him, he says, since he's so busy, but for me it sometimes feels like forever before I'll see him again.

After starting some laundry, I sat down to try to plan out a little of his R&R. We're planning to meet up somewhere other than home, since the winter months can get very long and dreary here. After a few phone calls, I felt I needed to stop. It's just too much to bear today. My heart is heavy missing him, and the frustration I was feeling from trying to plan out something so far in advance was getting the best of me.

The first load of laundry was ready to go in the dryer so I ran upstairs to put it in and start another load. There, throwing clothes from washer to dryer, the tears started coming quickly. It hurts more than I can bear sometimes. I want him here, not there today. It's hard when you want something you can't have...there's no bargaining for this particular request!

While straightening up a few things around the house, tears still falling, I felt compelled to get my "Moments of Peace for the Morning" book and read the thought for the day. It's funny how that works out sometimes. After reading it, I immediately realized I'd be much better off if I had started my day with God.

It started out like this - "As you awoke this morning, you may have felt like grain - threshed and milled by trials." ...My life is filled with moments where I wonder if God slipped in a note just for me to read at the very moment I needed it. One particular part said, "The moment will come and the threshing will end, and we will be prepared with the patience, faith and humility that only milling can create in your life." God's reassurance that He is here with me now, and that a moment will come when all this will end, brings me hope!

I love the little prayer at the end that brought me to the place where I needed to be to face the day - "Thank you, God, that trials don't last forever but that qualities you build in me do."

12 comments:

Karren said...

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm surviving a deployment also, and you have no idea how much I needed to hear that today!

Laura said...

Karren - nice to meet you, so to speak! Thanks for the comment. I know it's not an easy time...and I'm glad this brought a little good to someone's day. Take care! And I'll be checking out your blog...

Alicia said...

How beautiful. I know exactly the emotions you were expressing at the beginning. God is faithful to slip us those notes, and I pray for peace to come over you day by day.

Reta said...

Laura,

My heart goes out to you today and everyday. Deployments are so difficult. Yet, I think the Lord steps in and provides for us in ways we least expect. I pray the Lord of all comfort and peace may guide you each and every day. My hubby is training to be a navy chaplain and previous to this spent four years active in the army. He was deployed for a year to Iraq. Just wanted you to know I am praying for you today.

Anonymous said...

My husband just returned from a year long deployment. Know that although the time starts off slow, but is does go by quickly. Know that he is where the Lord wants him, that always helped me. My husband is a Chaplain also. If you all did not follow where the Lord lead you all things would be much harder. YOU CAN AND WILL MAKE IT THROUGH!! Melissa Stirm

Jocelyn Green said...

Hi Laura,
I'm happy to find you -I’m a former military wife and author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody Publishers 2008). As a chaplain's wife, you may be interested in this book if you haven't already heard of it. (Visit www.faithdeployed.com for much more information.) If you are interested in writing a review of the book for your blog or for the women in your husband's unit, I can send you a complimentary copy if you send me your address.

C. Shirk said...

Hi Laura,
That sure does sound like a good word for the spouse of a deployed soldier. Thanks for sharing. I'm wondering how the twins are doing so far. I would think it would be quite difficult at that age. My young ones will miss dad when he leaves in Nov, but they don't really understand how long a year is, so I think that makes it easier on them. Anyway, just curious. Praying for you guys.
Carrie

Eddy Williams said...

Laura, I fixed my blog so I will be reminded to pray for Kevin and our military everyday. I put his picture up on my blog and if you click on the picture it directs people to your blog. I am praying for you guys. I can't imagine what it is like for you. I was never in the military, but I did lose my very best high school friend in the Vietnam war. So I know it must be terrible for you when you hear sad news from the battlefield.

Pinkshoelady said...

Hi Laura,
Praying extra hard for you today.
Love Pamela

LAURIE said...

Hey Laura...I am praying for your family. Jeremy came home from South Korea, he was home for 2 weeks and now he and his wife moved to Utah where he is stationed now. Finally after one year of separation, they get to start their marriage. I am glad for them. but miss them so, they are 24 hours away but that beats overseas! email me ... I have to ask you something. ok? -love, Laurie

Angela Montgomery said...

I had some questions to askyou. My husband will be doing his Chaplain training soon & I wanted to know what to expect after that? Can you talk to him via Skype while he's deploeyed? Can you go with him???

Laura said...

Angela - it depends on their location and what they have whether you can skype or not. Mine just recently got internet in his room in their location so we're able to skype.
No, you can not go with them on deployments.