Archive for » January, 2010 «

27
Jan
A Deployed Heart
meg

I have a question for you today, where is your heart?

Is it in the moment, or is it distracted and far off?

I’ve watched how different families deal with deployments and separations. For some, the family stops living while their deployed family member is far away. They hold their breath, withdraw from church and school activities, and whither up until their loved one returns home.

For others, it’s the opposite. They feel the big empty hole in their daily lives, but just the same, they keep on moving and keep on growing. They stay involved and live everyday to the utmost. This, too me, is the response I’d like to have when facing separation, but in my human skin it doesn’t always happen.

Sometimes I withdraw when I’m faced with hard situations. Sometimes I mope around and feel sorry for my state of loneliness. Sometimes I get less involved in the world around me and focus more on myself. Please don’t think I’m attacking any one here, because I’m not. I’m truly looking about my own heart when it comes to hardships I face in this life. I’m looking at how I respond to tough situations, be it a deployment, the loss of a job, separation from family and friends, or failing at something I’ve worked hard on.

Whatever the crisis may be, I often withdraw into myself. I look within and don’t let those around me help. I draw away from friends, family, and even my God. I’m preoccupied, introverted and uninvolved.

Have you ever felt similarly? Have you ever responded similarly? If you have, in essence, your heart has been deployed.

One of my reasons for naming the blog “Devotions of the Deployed Heart” is that I believe our hearts truly can be deployed in more than one way. Sometimes this is literally when our spouse, the love of our life, deploys overseas, leaving us behind, at other times a deployed heart is more subtle. It comes on slowly affecting our relationships with each other and with our God. This is the type of separation I’m talking about today.

It’s a separation that none of us really want. We want to be involved. We want to be on fire for our Lord. And so how does it happen? Sometimes it’s something big that brings it about, other times it’s subtle, a slow creeping on, a slow change, until one day we realize that our relationship with God isn’t what it once was. Our heart isn’t in it when we sing in church, we get distracted during the sermon, we avoid friends and family. Not a pretty picture, but I’ve been there just the same.

Today I want to make sure my heart truly is right with God. I want to be on fire for him and life my every breath to the utmost. What about you? Where is your heart today? Is it deployed, or is it in the moment?
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11 NIV).

Category: Psalm  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
26
Jan
Ordinary Thankfulness
meg

Today I am sitting here in my sweatpants in desperate need of a shower. There’s a pile of laundry waiting to be washed, a carpet that desperately needs to be vacuumed, and some chicken that needs to be pre-cooked before dinner. I also need to write, blog, connect with some friends, and oh, that shower, right. That’s still a must at some point today.

Yesterday was much the same. I ran through a day of ordinary errands and responsibilities and did what was expected of me. Tomorrow will be much the same. It’s ordinary. It’s normal. It’s somewhat mundane. But it’s my life just the same.

Today I stopped by Chatting At the Sky, I blog I frequent from time to time. I was once again reminded of how extraordinary the ordinary is. Seriously. My life may seem pretty boring, but it’s the life God has given me. Each and every day He shows up, ready to teach me things, if I’d only listen.

There’s so much that needs to be done today, but for once, I’m slowing down for a moment. For once I’m remaining still and listening for what God has to say (Psalm 46:10). For once I’m going to embrace the ordinary and ask God to show me the extraordinary in it. For once, I’m going to rejoice instead of grumble.

So what am I thankful for today, you may ask? Laundry. I’m thankful for laundry. I’m thankful that I have a husband who works hard, sweats hard, and needs a wife to do his laundry for him. I’m thankful for the washer and dryer that work so easily, for the money for the detergent to clean the clothes with, and for that matter, the money we used to buy the clothes in the first place. I’m thankful for my ordinary life today, what about you? What are you thankful for?

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5 NIV).

For more posts on finding the extraordinary in the ordinary check out Chatting at the Sky’s Tuesday’s Unwrapped.

Category: Psalm  Tags: , ,  3 Comments
20
Jan
Be Strong
meg

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

We all have moments of doubt. I was reminded of a friend of mine as I read these verses today. This friend has started doubting the presence of God in her life. She doesn’t feel him moving in the midst of her troubles. She feels very alone. But he’s there. He promises in these verses above that he will never leave us, even during the darkest, scariest times. I know from dark moments in my life that God is always ready to pick us up and carry us through the good and bad times. He’s never let me down, even when other people in this world have. He’s always been there.

In addition the verse above calls us to be strong and courageous. The Hebrew word for strong, chazaq, means to prevail, be firm, and persevere. The Hebrew word for “courageous” ‘amats, is very similar in it’s meaning. ‘Amats means to be strong, brave and bold. In essence, God is not calling us to live fearful lives, but lives in which we trust in him, and take giant leaps of faith. In the military world we and our spouses certainly face some scary things. There are certainly lonely times, violent times, and times when it’s hard to see the hand of God at work. I, myself, am grasping a hold of this verse and its words about God’s faithfulness for whatever tomorrow may bring.

How might God be asking you to be courageous today? Do you need him to carry you through a dark time?

Category: Deuteronomy  Leave a Comment
12
Jan
Delight
meg

Hello dear ones,

Today I’m continuing my thoughts on joy. As I said yesterday, joy is something we can experience despite the circumstances. Today I still have things distracting me, making me worry and wonder about the future. Just the same, I have a peace and joy that goes beyond explaining. It’s the kind of joy that puts a hint of a smile on my face as I look at the beautiful day God’s given us. It’s the kind of joy that is oh so thankful for the wonderful husband I have. And it’s the kind of joy that knows that God really is in control in this and every situation.

In 2 Corinthians 11-12, Paul discusses all of the calamities that had befallen him as a Christian. He certainly had more reason than me to gripe. But he didn’t. Instead, he delighted in the things that made him weak, because it was at those times that the power of God at work in him could be seen all the more.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul delighted in the times that he was weak. He delighted. Can you imagine delighting in hard times? That’s a hard one for me to grasp. But doesn’t delighting sound a lot like finding joy in the hard times? I would argue that they’re much the same.

My prayer today is that I, too, will be able to delight in whatever trouble comes my way. Not because of the trouble, but because of how God will use me and me through the situation.

What about you? What can you find joy in today? Is it a hard situation or easy situation? Can you see what God’s teaching you through it?

Category: 2 Corinthians  Leave a Comment
11
Jan
Rejoice
meg

Hello friends,

I have many mixed things on my heart today. Can you pray for me? Mixed emotions are running through my heart, I don’t know quite what to say at the moment. Just the same, I’m rejoicing.

Why you may ask? Because yesterday at church I was reminded of the wonderful gift of joy. Our assistant pastor preached about true joy that can only come from God. This is the kind of joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances, but is there despite circumstances. It’s the kind of joy that doesn’t come from a church, a book, or a mate, but only from God.

Our assistant pastor referenced Philippians 4:4-7, which I’d like to share with you now:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

I have such a tendency to worry about the future, about what might happen in this coming year. These verses remind me that God doesn’t want a life of anxiousness for us, but a life of peace and joy. I feel that this is something important for all of us to grasp, whether our husbands are nearby at the moment, or deployed overseas. God is our ultimate joy giver. Perhaps you’re a bit anxious like me today. Perhaps you’re tired and overworked. Perhaps you’ve let the business of life get to you, and you don’t know the last time you’ve slowed down enough to really enjoy God’s creation. If so, my encouragement for you today is to slow down, find a quiet spot to pray, and rejoice in our Lord and Savior.

With a joyful heart, whatever we face in the coming days will look entirely different.

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07
Jan
300 words
meg

I took a challenge today. Write something meaningful in exactly 300 words. So hear I go.

My purpose for this blog is to give other military wives hope. Life can be hard. Our husbands can’t always be around. So how do we cope? To be honest, I’m still trying to figure that out. What I know so far is this: God has to be first.

It’s taken me awhile to get to this point. In the past, relationships I had were easily raised on pedestals, to an unhealthy point. They were in essence “gods” in my life, people I loved more and spent more time thinking about then God himself, in direct opposition to one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3). Ouch. I have trouble even now admitting this. Since then, I’ve tried so hard to always make sure God is number one and that I depend on Him more than anything.

As much as I want to depend on my husband to always make me feel happy, loved, and safe, I can’t. My husband is human, and he has a very demanding job. Don’t get me wrong, I know he loves me and wants to protect me. Just the same, God needs to be the one I ultimately look at for true joy, agape love, and eternal safety.

My husband, as hard as he may work, can never give me these things. There will be times when my husband does disappoint me and make me cry, and when he deploys overseas, leaving me in an empty house for months at a time.

If I depend on my husband most of all, I’ll be hurt and disappointed.

If I depend on my Lord and Savior, I’ll never be.

Lord, please help me to always keep you first in my life.

Category: Deuteronomy  Leave a Comment
06
Jan
Facing the Unknown
meg

I’ve been praying a lot for a friend of mine this week. Her husband just deployed, leaving her at home with two tiny girls. This is the first time she’s had to take care of both girls on her own. I’m sure she’s dealing with a good bit of loneliness and sadness today.

In my Bible-In-A-Year reading this morning I was in the book of Deuteronomy. The first section heading caught my eye right away; it was called “Going to War.” How relevant. In this section Moses was reminding the Israelites that they would never be alone in battle, God would always go before them. While my friend’s husband is facing a battle over seas, she’s facing a battle on this side of the ocean as well, that of loneliness. The months ahead won’t be easier to her, but I hope these words found in Deuteronomy will be an encouragement to her as much as they are to me:

“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NIV).

When we trust in God, he gives us victory in things big and small. He gives us the strength to face the unknowns of each and everyday. With more troops being sent overseas in the coming months, I don’t know what the future will hold for my husband. He may very well be sent as well. Knowing this, I claim hold of the promise that God is big enough to be on both sides of the ocean at once.

Today my prayer is for those fighting overseas, that they will truly feel the presence of God in these violent times.

Category: Deuteronomy  2 Comments
05
Jan
A Lesson from the Proverbs 31 Woman
meg

With the holidays over, my husband and I have returned to our house that hasn’t been dusted for several weeks. At this moment in time there is a big pile of laundry sorted throughout the kitchen. All of the stocking stuffers from Christmas are now in various piles around the house, waiting to find a home; where, I don’t know, because our little place is already close to bursting at the seams. There are dirty dishes in the sink, and don’t even ask me about that half-finished sewing projects spread throughout the family room floor.

With tasks like cleaning, laundry, and organizing staring me in the face, my first inclination is to turn the other way and ignore it all. To be honest, that’s exactly what I’ve done the last few days. I would much rather be reading a book, watching a movie, or playing on the internet, then taking care of the house.

I know that I have chosen to be a homemaker. It’s part of what I signed up for when I married my military husband. Just the same, sometimes it’s hard to see the mundane everyday tasks as important. Then I remembered the Proverbs 31 woman. Here’s a woman to admire. She is someone who doesn’t sit around playing solitaire all day, but instead: “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (vs.27 NIV).  This woman saw what needed to be done and did it. She serves as an excellent example of what God wants each of us to be as a wife. Smart, independent, efficient—the Proverbs 31 woman works hard, but more than anything she fears God: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (vs.30).

The Proverbs 31 woman was admired for the everyday tasks she performed. She was someone to be praised. If only I could have so much one day. Until then, I guess I’ll just have to take the chores one at a time, and try to be the best homemaker I can be.

What about you? How do you feel about mundane, everyday tasks? After reading Probers 31, does anything about this woman stick out to you?

Lord, please help me to live each day to the fullest, even in the midst of the seemingly mundane.

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04
Jan
My Resolution
meg

The holidays are over. More money than you’d like to think has been spent, and life seems to now get back to its normal rhythm. What now? For many of you, the New Year started with resolutions that you broke shortly thereafter. For me, I didn’t even bother making one, since I knew I would break it anyhow. Oh well.

Just the same, I was inspired today to consider a different kind of resolution. Not the kind that has to do with numbers on a scale or the certain types of food I will or won’t put in my mouth, but a resolution of a more personal kind.

I was inspired to make a “personal goal” to be concerned with only God’s opinion of me. What a thought.

I’ve spent so much time over the years being consumed with how I look and how I don’t measure up to the world’s standard. More than once I’ve made New Year’s resolutions to become thinner and eat better food. But Lisa Whitttle over at She Seeks encouraged me to not focus on my earthly image, but on my spiritual one instead. Yes, being healthy is important, the military reminds my husband of that every day as he participates in early morning PTs. I’m a firm believer in keeping my family healthy and strong. Just the same, a point comes when we obsess too much on our appearance, instead of focusing on what God thinks of us.

I know that God doesn’t want me to worry and fret about how I look. He created each of us to be intrinsically beautiful. He doesn’t make any mistakes (see Psalm 139). And so, my new personal goal this year is to claim hold of the wonderful truth that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

With this in mind, the January gloom doesn’t look quite so bad out my window.

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03
Jan
The Unknowns of 2010
meg

What will this year bring? I really can’t say. The military life is so unpredictable. We could move across the country. My husband could deploy over seas. We could start a family. Or make new, unexpected friends

In the past I might have worried about all the unknowns, but for right now  I’m excited. I’m excited for what God will teach us. I’m excited for how we’ll stretch and grow. I’m excited for all of the experiences we’ll have, the new places we’ll go.

Yes, the unknown is scarey. But just the same it’s nice to know that God will go with us each step of the way.

I don’t know what all of you are facing today. Perhaps you’re scared, perhaps your’re worried., or perhaps you’re excited like me.

As I sit here in my Sunday best, ready to greet the day, I wanted to encourage all of you through the word of God. This is what the book Deuteronomy has to say:
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

I pray that you claim this verse for yourself today, and for all of your loved ones that may be far away. As the above verse reminds us, there is no place we can go to in this world, that the Father does not follow. He is always with us, protecting us and keeping us strong, through the good times and the bad.

This verse comforted me in 2009 as my husband and I moved across the country. It helped me stay strong through the lonely days that followed, as we tried to make new friends. It gave me peace as we faced a possible deployment. And today it brings me joy. For we made it through 2009 by the grace of God alone. I’m so thankful that He never did leave our side. And I’m thankful that He’s with all of you this morning, comforting you wherever you may be.

If you need prayer for anything, please let me know. I’m always here, ready to get down on my knees and present our problems and praises to the Lord.

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