ChristianMilitaryWives

My Blessed Monday

 1/11/2010

Thank you for small hands

Thank you for a wonderful family

Thank you for great books

Just in case you were wondering, no, the title of this article is not a typo.

I thought it would be apropos to write a "first of the year" article. But, the truth is that when it comes to New Year's celebrations, resolutions, and excitement, I'm kind of a “scrooge”...(If you will allow me to steal a Christmas phrase and apply it to New Years.)

While I enjoyed staying up until midnight and getting my first New-Year's kiss EVER, once I crawled in bed dead tired I wondered why I had bothered staying up so late. After all, January first is just another day.

Some people may say I am sadly unmotivated, as I haven't made a “New Year's Resolution” in probably 5-10 years. And the ones that I have made I don't think I've ever kept.

See, when you make a New Year's Resolution, this is usually what happens...LIFE! You decide to read your Bible every day, go on a diet, exercise daily, wake up on time and never sleep in, or a myriad of other tedious goals...and then you get sick, get invited to a party, your husband calls in the middle of the night, you get in a car accident. Things just inevitably happen to keep you from sticking true to all of those high goals. So after you fall asleep during your Bible reading, eat that all-too-wonderful slice of chocolate cake, and lounge on the couch watching movies all day, you feel like a failure and wonder why you ever tried. After missing a day of success you feel like it's much easier to just live your life the way you always have.

(Is anyone else relating to this?)

But life doesn't have to keep us from living successfully. Yes, it can throw a kink in our well-made goals, but it doesn't have to make us quit.

This is why I have adopted a slightly different philosophy for my life: I take things “one day at a time.” See...what is a year? 365 days is all it is. While keeping a promise or a goal every one of those days is nigh impossible, making improvements each day is much more attainable.

The time where I realized this concept the most was when my husband was deployed for a year to Afghanistan. I would wake up in the morning, look at my countdown calendar, and be filled with despair and wonder how I could possibly make it through the next “x” amount of months. But each time I would try to shake my head of all the negativity and focus on TODAY. I would say to myself, “Aprille, just try to make it through today, and don't worry about the rest of the deployment.”

I had a lot of bad days, but I probably had more good days than bad. Each time I found myself discouraged about the deployment, I would write it off as “just a bad day...tomorrow will be better.”

So, if you have made some grand New Year's resolutions, I admire you for your courage and dedication. But let me encourage you by saying this: Don't let one day of life, failure, or fatigue keep you from reaching your goals. If you find yourself faltering, go to bed, sleep it off, and try again tomorrow. Take this year one day at a time, and I think you will find that at the end of 2010 you will be a better person because of all you have gone through.

“Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.” (Anne Shirley)

Most nights, Alfred Green still cries. He keeps a single lantern lit to provide a dim glow and finds a certain comfort in the creaking patterns that persist from the old wooden rocking chair; sounds which he once despised just yesterday, it would seem.

With a frail hand he, once again, grasps tightly the neatly folded quilt draped over the arm of the chair, careful to avoid the needle woven once through the unfinished blanket. Conflicting feelings of both warmth and guilt seem to resonate from this one reminder of his dear Anna. This particular quilt was meant for little Sarah, but due to the unexpected death of this dear quilt maker, Sarah's quilt remains unfinished.

To a certain group of heavy hearted children, Anna Green was affectionately known as the "quilt lady", a title she certainly owned with joy. It was a delightful endeavor and not a burden at all, to sew a quilt for every new child at the Hansen Orphanage. Alfred, too, has fond memories of children, though broken inside, beaming with great happiness at the satisfied anticipation built by the other children telling of the great day when the quilt lady would arrive.

"Every quilt is unique, just like you" she would tell each child. There were so many different patterns in each quilt. "There is no other exactly like it in the world", she would continue, "except for this one square", pointing to a single green square, always stitched into the corner of each quilt. "Do you know what it says?" she would ask, about the embroidered words on the green square.

"God loves me", they would respond. Anna loved to hear the children say those words. For her, it was more important that the child remember those words than her kindness.

"That's right, and He will never leave you. Be comforted, child. Be warm. God loves you."

But for 8 year old Sarah, her anticipation was met with sadness, as she learned that the quilt lady had become very ill and passed on. For her, there would be no knock on the door, no children gathering at the feet of the quilt lady as she shared of God's love, no bright smiles as she read the embroidered green square. For this little girl, there would be no quilt.

For many days, Sarah could be found staring out the window, occasionally wiping her damp cheeks as she hoped that her quilt, with the special green square, would somehow arrive.

Alfred had watched Anna stitch squares into quilts so many times, he often considered an attempt to finish Sarah's quilt. But the sadness of her passing and the comfort of the unfinished quilt, especially on the eve of the 10 years since her death, kept him from so much as unfolding it. He missed her kindness; he missed her love of God, though he always felt that God must not love a man whom he takes from. Tonight, with moist eyes and a sad heart, he will sleep in Anna's chair.

As the morning light dissolved shadows cast across the old floor timbers, Alfred was awakened by a knock on the door. Using his cane, he slowly made his way to the door. "Who is it?" he said, in an uninviting tone.

"Mr. Green?" a woman's voice inquired.

"Yes. Who is it I said?", he responded with greater irritation.

"Mr. Green, my name is Sarah". The ensuing silence seemed endless. Alfred slowly unlatched the door and pulled it open. "Mr. Green, you may not remember me, but I was 8 years old when I was brought to the orphanage. The quilt lady, sorry, Mrs. Green made lovely quilts for all of the children", she continued, "I was very sad when she passed, and was not fortunate to receive one".

Having softened his tone, Alfred replied, "Yes child, I'm very sorry. She was...,"

"Oh no, Mr. Green, it's fine!" Sarah eagerly interjected, "I just - I brought a gift for you. You see, while I was sad, the other children each unstitched their green squares and sewed them together to make a quilt for me". A tear fell from Alfred's eyes. "I wanted to give it to you, now" she said softly. "Do you recall what the green squares say?" she inquired.

"Yes," he answered with a quivering voice and tears filling his eyes, "God loves me."

Sarah handed the folded green quilt to Alfred; "Be comforted sir. Be warm. God loves you."
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This story was written by Bill Johnson.  When I read it, I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you.  I wrote Bill and let him know I would be sharing it with you all.  His website is pretty neat and filled with Christian stories.  I have not had time to read all of Bills stories, but the stories I have read, I like.  Here's a link to Bills site: http://www.billjonline.com

Today is a day of joy in celebrating Christs birthday, but to me today is also a day where I miss my family and all that "used to be."

Growing up, we would go to my Grandmas every year on Christmas Eve.  We would have a great time of family fellowship.  Sure, presents were included - but I really don't remember what gifts were given to me.  Well, okay - the truth... I remember Grandma and Grandpa always giving me a big box of socks, pjs and underclothes.  :)

My parents, brother, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins would go to Grandpa and Grandmas every year.  A few years ago, Grandpa passed away, but we continued to go see Grandma.  This year, I was unable to go home to visit.  Even if I went home, it would have been different of course because I am older, cousins are not around as much... my parents and oldest brother moved down to Florida as the rest of my family lives in Michigan. 

I am in a good central location I suppose.  North Carolina.  The weather is mild and we have a great church.  We have everything we need, yet - I do get a lonely feeling sometimes.  Lonely for family, and this year hubby is not even deployed. 

Military families move around often, and if our husbands are here or away - I think most of us end up feeling lonely for family if we can't go home for the holidays.  Even when we do go home, so much has changed since we are military that it's just not the same.

Not only do we deal with missing family, but many of us deal with missing friends or family who were killed in war.  Soldiers and those who have PTSD experience holiday depression more so than others.  Be sure to visit the links at the end of this article to find immediate help, or if you just need to talk to someone.

I try to remember to thank God for the good things in my life.  For the blessings He has given.  Am I the only one who gets a little dose of the holiday blues? Here are a few verses to help us remember that God is God, He is loving and He can fill any void we have.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." --John 14:1

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." – Matthew 11:28-30

Remember, when you are feeling down - pray.  The Lord is here for us always.  He knows how you are feeling, and it helps us to talk to someone who REALLY cares.  We all know that the Lord cares about us more than anyone does. 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ" – Phil. 4:6.

• Army G-1, Army Well Being Liaison Office - 1-800-833-6622
• Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline - 1-800-984-8523
• Emergency - 911
• www.armyfamiliesonline.org - 1-800-833-6622
• www.militaryonesource.com - 1-800-342-9647
• National Suicide Hotline - 1-800-SUICIDE
• www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Being a military wife, I know first hand how difficult it can be to juggle many different things at once.  Lawn work needs to be done, you may be a mother, you are a wife, maybe you work outside the home or are in school... sometimes it just seems like there's never enough time in the day to do all that needs to be done. 

Often times, I find my days seem to flow into each other.  I pretty much have a set routine.  Wake up, eat breakfast, devotions, get ready for the day, run here and there taking care of family business... by the time I come home - its time for dinner, bed and then I wake up and do the same thing the next day.  It gets old, doesn't it?

Do you feel like you are under stress, completely exausted by the end of the day? I recently have been there.  I have felt like hiding in my room, in my bed under the covers and not coming out for weeks.  But, of course - that's not possible is it? Not possible, and it wouldn't have been good for me.

It's important to remember to take breaks sometimes.  Remember, on the 7th day - God rested.  I think that was His way of saying how important it is to take one day to rest, truly rest. 

I find that my Sundays are very busy.  Sunday morning we go to church, then sometimes we go to a local flea market and  I make a nice lunch/dinner for the family. Our church does not have church on Sunday night.  Which, I personally really like that idea.  We have many small groups that meet during the week for Spiritual edification. 

Do you have one day that you take to rest? I will admit, I have to work on that.  I am going to try from now on to take one day a week to REST.  This means, no running all over creation.  No housework, just REST.  Is that possible in todays day and time? It was possible when the Lord created the world, it is possible now.

To be a good wife, a good mom, a good student, a good employee, a good business owner - you need to be rested, you need to avoid the burn out that can happen if you don't take time to rest.

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Gen 2:2 (KJV)

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)

This verse became a precious comfort to me when I was nineteen. I was very lonely, very single, and desperately wanting to be married. While I don’t know that my personal interpretation was exactly God’s intent when He wrote this Scripture, this verse filled me with hope. I knew that God wanted me to be married, but it seemed there were no possibilities in sight. Even though I did not know who my husband would be, I tried to focus on the fact that he was out there, somewhere, and believe in the fact that God would bring us together in His time. While I could not see him, I could begin to love him. It was this hope that gave me joy.

Now I’m a young woman married to a soldier. This verse took on a new meaning to me during this deployment. As military wives we are daily faced with the choice to love someone we cannot see, touch, and sometimes even talk to. The only thing that can sustain us during times of separation is our faith…faith that we will be together again someday soon. And it is this faith that gives us an “unspeakable joy” that allows us to smile even when our husbands are on the other side of the world.

When I turned the calendar to June, my joy-meter skyrocketed. My husband’s return is now eminent and I have begun frenzied homecoming preparations! As I look back over the last eleven months of my life, I am somewhat disappointed. I feel like I could have done so much better than I did, accomplished more, had a better attitude, the list could go on. But one thing I have no doubt about…my faith has been strengthened. I have had a lot of low moments, probably more lows than highs, but I can remember specific times when God did fill me with unspeakable joy, and that joy was directly connected to my belief and faith.

God also gives us this verse as a reminder about the ultimate homecoming awaiting us…when our Saviour will return! Let us not forget to truly love Him even when it seems like we cannot see him.

No matter where you are in your journey as a wife of faith, whether it be just beginning a deployment, in the darkness of the unending middle of the deployment, planning for homecoming, or just living the ever difficult challenges of garrison life … I pray that this verse will be a comfort to you as it has been to me. May God fill you with unspeakable joy!

Written By: Aprille, Proud CMW Member

Are you a member of an inactive FRG? Instead of sitting around, talking about how inactive it is… start some type of support group yourself. I know, it does not sound like a simple task… but, really it is. You will be amazed how many ladies may want to participate in a support group – especially while their husbands are deployed.

Maybe your FRG is active, but you've had a bad experience in the past or you feel a little ackward? I urge you to pray about things, and let the Lord work in you and in those around you.

Jump in there, get involved with other wives in your husbands troop or unit, communicate with other ladies going through the same thing you are going through. You are not always going to hit it off with every single lady in the FRG, but more often than not - you will find at least one new friend.

 

If you are still set against participating in FRG events, there are other ways of meeting military wives and having that great support network you need.  For example, our small groups that are starting up around the country... or maybe your church has a support group for military wives?

If your church offers a support group for military wives, we are more than happy to allow the leader to use our resources here at CMW, and to start a group just for your church members! You can email us and we can make it happen.  info@christianmilitarywives.com

There's nothing in it for us, we are an all volunteer staff just trying to do the right thing. :)

November 13-15

The Sista Hood Retreat in Fort Fisher, NC is designed to connect women from verious churches and backgrounds, bringing them together to worship our Lord and Savior, grow in our walk and other fellowship with other sisters. 

The cost of the retreat is only $75.  This includes lodging for Friday and Saturday night.  All meals on Saturday are included.  We will not be providing food Friday evening or Sunday morning.

All women are welcome.  Registration is open until October 25.  You may register after October 25, but there will be a $10 late fee.

All questions may be directed to Michele Price.  Michele@micheleprice.net

Come and be blessed!

Retreat speakers are Michele Price and Patti Katter.  All women (military and civilian) are welcome!

Do you feel as if you have done something unforgivable?
Shannon Ethridge shares this true, amazing story of the Lords love for us.

 

Yesterday while my DH and I were driving to pick Drew up, we spotted a huge rainbow. I have never seen one that vibrant. You could see every color vividly. I looked in awe at the beauty God created. It started us talking. How can anyone say we are not created when they look around? The rainbow is a perfect arc, the way God created it. Do you ever think if it's just the sun reflecting off the raindrops, then why isn't it a "wallbow" ? Why isn't it like a sheet of reflection?? It is an arc....the rain doesn't fall in an arc, it is a sheet of rain. Otherwise we could definately not get soaked as it pours! We could dodge between the drops! :) I know some may try to tell me there is a scientific explanation for the rainbow, there are certain angles, yada.. yada.. yada.. Just like the scientific reasons how we came to be, or how the Red Sea parted for Moses. BLAH!! I KNOW my God created me. I know He created the rainbows. It didn't just happen...

Another thing I've been pondering is, do you think Noah got scared the next time it rained? Do you think he got scared when he took his eyes off the rainbow? We get scared when we take our eyes off God. He promised us He would never leave nor forsake us. But how many times have we failed to see God's rainbow for us?? Sometimes I think of some of the prophets as, I don't know...not perfect, per say. But maybe not having the same battles we do. I know, that's silly, they are human, just like us. Looking at that rainbow elightened me. Noah now seems more real to me, not just a "Super Hero" of the bible. Not just a person in a story.