Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Three Word Wednesday: A New Season

Original photo by friend Judd Johnson

A new season is here. There were prayers for it not to come so quickly. In many respects it did not. We had a year to prepare. One thing I've learned, you are never fully prepared. You can have everything checked off your to-do list yet you are still not prepared for the day when your husband walks out of your home and will not return for at least ten months. You cannot prepare for how that day will feel.

I held him tightly the night before he left as we lied in bed. Eventually, I gave him space since he needed a good night's rest. My hand continued to stay over his; I could not completely let go.

Morning came too soon. We waited as long as we could before waking our son so he could say good-bye. No matter how old your child is, watching them say good-bye is almost more than you can bear.

It wasn't time for us to say good-bye. I will see him again soon. We will have a few days to ourselves over the Thanksgiving holiday before he journeys overseas. While it wasn't good-bye for us, the time had come to begin the process of accepting he would not be home again for far too long.

People ask if he will be gone for an entire year. I tell them not quite. There are times I get, "Oh that's not too bad." Can I say any length of time apart from your spouse is too long? I know they mean well so instead of getting upset I pray for God to give me the words during this new season to not only minister to military families but to bring awareness to others of the sacrifices made by our military families.

So I begin my new season as a wife with a husband deployed (mobilization stage). I do not know what it will look like. Only God knows.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

I'm taking it one day at a time.

On the first day I missed him something fierce as soon as he boarded the plane. The gloomy day was welcomed as it matched my downcast mood. It took every ounce of strength to not let the loneliness I felt consume me. I did finally succumb to the bed and cried off and on until sleep came.

On the second day I embraced these truths:

He is with me.

"Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9

I do not need to be afraid.

"Do do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10

He will comfort me.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose minds are steadfast. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." ~ Isaiah 26:3-4

I can trust in Him.

"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." ~ Psalm 16:8.

On day three I'm reminded to find the blessings in a deployment. And whatever trials come my way I will considered it all pure joy.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~ James 1:2-4

And I will give thanks to Him for He is good ALWAYS.

“Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!” ~ Psalm 95:2

Is there scripture you turn to when a new season is upon you? I'd love for you to share.

48 comments :

  1. May you be blessed in this season with peace, grace and growth!

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  2. Beth, as you said take this season one day at a time. I am be miles and miles away in a different continent but my love, prayers and thoughts are with you. Be blessed as you grow nearer to Him who knows the plans He has for you and your family! <3

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    1. Thank you sweet friend. Your prayers are felt...even from a different continent. Sending hugs your way. I'm grateful for your love and support.

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  3. Dear Beth
    I cannot even begin to imagine being without your husband for so long, but I think I might understand in the sense that when I became ill, nine years ago, my whole life also changed completely. You have my greatest admiration for this is not something many women are able to do. Praying for you and your dependence on our Lord is so beautiful.
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. Sweet Mia, you have my admiration as well. Your love for God is seen in every word you write. You encourage and inspire me to keep seeking Him. Love you.

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  4. Oh, I can't imagine how difficult that is. :( Praying for you to continue drawing your strength from the Lord. Your willingness to do so is an encouragement to me. May the Lord bless your husband in his tasks and bless your family as you continue on.

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    1. Thank you for stopping in, Lisa, and for your prayers. It was a delight to see you here.
      Many blessings,
      Beth

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  5. Oh Beth! I know this is so hard. But praise God that He is with you and will give you strength for these coming months. You are an encouragement to all who visit here by your dependence on God. Thank you! I'll keep praying for you and your family during this time!

    Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    In His grip, Joan

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    1. Praise God indeed! Thank you for your prayers, Joan, and for your kind words. Sending hugs your way and wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

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  6. Praying for you during this new season. God Bless and just remember you are loved.

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  7. Beth, I'm visiting from dyww. I can relate to this post. I will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. While in the Military, my husband was always deploying. It left me feeling down, and not in the mood for much. But I was reminded God is with us every step of the way. May God bless you.

    Stephanie

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    1. Oh there are those days staying in bed is desired. But I'm grateful for how God keeps pursuing me and reminding me to let Him be my strength. Thank you, Stephanie, to your husband for his service and to you for how I know you supported him.
      Much love to you,
      Beth

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  8. Thinking of you, Beth! And hoping to rejoin Three Word Wednesday soon. This adoption series has taken most of my writing energy, but it's been so good for my heart.

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    1. Thank you, Kristin. I've been enjoying your adoption series. You can clearly see how much you enjoy sharing on the topic. It's a delight to see!
      Much love to you,
      Beth

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  9. Love your post! The verse I always turn to is Psalm 46:10. I don't always do well with change and new seasons of life. So I need to be still and know He is God.

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    1. I love that verse Jenifer! Thank you for stopping by and for hosting us at your place for Word Filled Wednesday. {Hugs}

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  10. Thinking and praying for you, Beth! I pray this time will go by quickly, that God will fill your days and nights so that you don't have idle time to be sad and lonely.
    One of my favorite verses this year has been from Hebrews 10:35-39 it says "do not throw away your confidence..you need to persevere and so the will of God and you will be richly rewarded...But we are not of those who shrink back and have no faith, but of those who believe and are saved"(that was very loosely paraphrased) It just reminds me to act like a person of faith that has an assurance in God. Just know you have friends that are praying you through this season!!

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    1. Oh thank you, Alecia, for sharing those verses. I'm keeping all these near by to draw from when needed. I'm so grateful for the love, support and prayers from my many friends.
      Love you.
      Beth

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  11. Back in the day when we were kids, my dad would head out on deployment and my mom held it together. Now that I am a wife and mom, my respect for her has grown and grown- as well as for all you wonderful wives (and husbands) who sacrifice time with their spouses for the good of our country. I will continue praying for you all:)

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    1. Thank you, Lauren. This reminds me to pray for all those military children as well. These seperations can be so hard on them.
      Thanks for all your prayers. I'm so very grateful for you.
      {Hugs},
      Beth

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  12. I am so thankful you are finding comfort in His Word. I am praying for you. I cannot imagine my husband being gone for that long. I have so much admiration and respect for him and what he does. Praying you both have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thank you, Barbie. This I know...this time apart will draw me even closer to Him.
      Thank you for all your prayers.
      Much love to you,
      Beth

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  13. Hi dear Beth. I would have felt exactly the same. Any time can feel too long. I miss my husband like crazy when he is away for 12 hours working. It hurts when we are separated for a few days. You are in my thoughts and prayers through this new season. My prayer is that you will feel our Lord carrying you through the most difficult days. God bless x

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    1. Thank you, Anita, for your kind words and your prayers.
      Blessings,
      Beth

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  14. Oh my sweet friend, I can ONLY imagine!! I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts AND prayers! Yes, whether its 10 months or 10 days, being away from your loved ones is never easy! In Jesus' name I'm praying for supernatural peace and strength for you and your family during your husband's deployment and I pray the 91st Psalm over your husband and his fellow servicemen. They will ALL return home safely! Blessings to you my friend and may you and your family enjoy EVERY minute of your Thanksgiving holiday!! Oh and my scripture for changing seasons...Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee, he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved". Love you sis and thanks for linking up! :-)

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    1. Oh how I adore you! THANK YOU! I was so very touched to be featured today at your place and then you bless me so with your loving comment here. Thank you for sharing the verse from Psalm 55:22. Many hugs coming your way.

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  15. I've only been away for my husband for three months at a time Beth, never for this long a time period. God will comfort and strengthen your broken heart. We will all be praying for you!! ♥

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    1. Thank you for your prayers Nannette and for stopping in. God bless.

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  16. Oh my... reading your story just cracked my heart open wide and gave me new meaning to new seasons....

    I am praying for God to comfort you through His Presence and His Word my friend. And I will also be praying He place supportive people in your path that can nurture your precious heart while he is away.

    I am so glad I stopped by from DYW link up today.

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    1. It's always a delight to meet someone new! So glad you found your way here today. Thank you for your prayers, Chris. He has given me so many supportive friends to help me through this time.
      I'm looking forward to coming by and checking out your place.
      Blessings,
      Beth

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  17. Dearest Beth, this post and this past one have given me such a tender heart toward you and your family. I find that military families, having been a part of one in my childhood, hold a most special place in my heart. You are in my prayers and will stay there.
    I think that your thoughts and prayers about the words that others say without meaning to hurt or discourage or be misunderstood are so important for words come flopping out of our mouths without thinking or realizing just the effect they have of those listening.
    As L.R. said above, the respect for my Mom has grown substantially, too.
    "You will keep in perfect peace him whose minds are steadfast. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." ~ Isaiah 26:3-4 What a powerful passage and for me, the first sentence jumped out that my mind must remain "steadfast" for His "perfect peace". But He will keep me! Amen. And you, dear friend.
    How about a {{{ hug }}} or three??!!
    With love and care through our LORD, ~ linda

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    1. Oh you are making me cry! But good tears because I'm so grateful for you. THANK YOU, Linda. Yes...send those hugs and keep them coming. Sending them your way as well.
      Much love,
      Beth

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  18. Beth - As I read this post, I realized what a sacrifice you are making for our country as well as your husband. How often that can be overlooked. As that word, sacrifice, passed through my head, it occurred to me that there is great blessing when we obey & sacrifice. May His blessing be upon you & your family in the months ahead. I have prayed that He would bless in such a way that you will come to feel that the blessing outweighed the sacrifice as He is glorified.
    ~~Joanne~~

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    1. Joanne, I so connected with what you shared. I wrote something about this earlier on how I know He called us to be a military family and how He blessed us when we obey. Your words gave me some goosebumps just thinking about the good things I know he has planned for us during this time apart. Love you!

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  19. Bless you, Beth, as your family enters this new season. One Scripture I refer to, in times of change, is "To everything there is a season, a time and a purpose under heaven."

    I'm grateful for your husband's service and pray he has a safe deployment.

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    1. Thank you, Dayle. I'm always delighted to have someone new here! I look forward to coming by your place. And I so love that verse!!! Thank you for sharing and for your prayers.
      Many blessings.

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  20. Praying for you, Beth.
    "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -- Romans 15:13

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  21. Beth, so glad that you are finding God's comfort in these days. I know how hard it is as both my kids and my son-in-law have been deployed...but also realize that having your spouse be gone for that long is a whole 'nother matter! On a practical note, when my kids were gone, I chose not to watch the news. If anything happened to them, I'd probably be notified before it hit the news anyway, so I just didn't need the added stress of hearing about something and wondering if they were okay. I was so blessed by friends who frequently asked how my kids were doing...they never forgot that part of my heart was in a war zone. And that gave me great comfort. And I am so grateful for the technology that enabled us to keep in close contact. I can't imagine what I'd have done if I'd only been able to write letters and had to wait weeks for a response.

    I pray God's richest blessings on you and your man during these months...for his safety, for your peace, and for sweet reunions when they come. Thank you for your family's service and sacrifice. And thank you for sharing this part of your journey with us!

    much love to you,
    Holly

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    1. I'm so with you Holly. I stay clear of the news!! And yes, Thank you, God, for the blessing of technology.
      It is comforting to hear you had many friends comforting you when your kids and son-in-law were deployed. Whenever we have a loved one away serving in harms way our hearts ache for them to return quickly and safely. The love and support is so needed.
      Thank you for all your prayers. I'm so grateful for you.
      Much love to you.
      Beth

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  22. I love reading your words of inspiration. Look forward to following you.

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    1. Always a delight to have someone new join us. Nice to *meet* you Debbie.

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  23. May you continue to find your strength and comfort in Him!

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  24. First and foremost: Thanks to your husband for his service. And thanks to you and your family, Beth, for supporting him to serve.

    As a family and as individuals, God has a plan for you...because the battle being waged is just as much at home as it is abroad, and there is need on all fronts. I pray God will strengthen each one of you during this difficult transition...and bring you peace in the midst of the storm.

    So glad to link up to this particular post today. Please know, dear friend, that Joy *is* hidden in the pain. Our Lord is living proof.

    God bless you,
    HBHW

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  25. Praying for you girl!

    And I don't think I responded to your comment about how it feels weird even doing stuff you normally don't do together, I so get that! I think it just feels weird, period, to have them gone and know they are not coming home for a long while.

    "That's not too bad." We people, laughing out lout. We say stupid things when we don't know what to say. We have the greatest of intentions and then it comes out all wrong.

    Please email me, fb me. shoot we can even call... if you need anything. I'm so glad we meet here on the internet world, you are a blessing to me and the fact that you are writing in the raw.... my heart breaks wide open for you.

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Much love to you.