Some days are more difficult than others, and those days are usually worse in the evenings when I come home to my empty apartment (other than my wild crazy dogs who always more than willing to keep me more than company!) and going to bed alone. It's crazy to think that in just a mere 2 more weeks we will have been married for 6 months already. Half a year. It seems hardly believable that it was that long ago already. And it's also crazy how quickly one gets use to having that other person around all the time even if he was only home for 3 of those months, and how having them gone for almost 2 months now doesn't always make it easier.
I was reading an entry in a book of deployment devotions tonight, and I wanted to share what I read:
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances? I think I'd be much more comfortable with this verse if it said: "Give thanks to God in as many circumstances as possible excluding car breakdowns and deployments." After all, who could possibly expect me to be thankful during deployment?
The uncomfortable answer to that question: God does. God expects and desires my thanksgiving in all circumstances. God does not command us to be thankful for everything, but we are expected to give thanks in everything.
Consider the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego. They did not know how God would act in their circumstances. In their lives, they had seen times when God provided safety and times when God allowed His people to suffer. They did not know if God would intervene, but they trusted Him completely, and they were prepared to praise Him all the way to the furnace.
The challenge is to recognize that God could choose to shower us with blessings--but regardless of whether He chooses to do so, we are to give thanks. God could keep my husband here at home with me all the time, but if not, I will thank God for the husband He has given me.
[taken from Faith Deployed by Jocelyn Green]
You are truly an amazing person! I am very happy to call you my sister!
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