Monday, March 14, 2016

A Blessed Reunion


My husband's first homecoming, after a nine month deployment, came with much pomp and circumstance. {Preview here}

This homecoming came with a quiet, thankfully uneventful, seven hour drive to Kentucky, a big ol' smile directed to the security guard (because I was rather joyful over my arrival) as I crossed through the military base gate, a last minute "oh my goodness" moment when I realized I had no makeup on (even though hubs could care less about makeup) and then a look out the front window of the car to see my husband walk toward me.

There was no fanfare; there was just the two of us.


He warned me ahead of time not to jump on him. You see, the different kind of homecoming came because he returned home early due to medical issues that arose while deployed.

I ran to him with a squeal of excitement. Per his request not to jump on him, I instead hugged him gently. He still squirmed from bursts of pain. Then we walked hand and hand, smile to smile, to pack him up for our weekend retreat.

He may look fine in pictures and to passer-byers, yet this warrior of mine is not fine. Several herniated discs in his neck have him in constant discomfort. I saw the level of discomfort rather quickly during our hour drive to Shelter Point Retreat on Kentucky Lake in Murray, Kentucky. Oh my poor husband. He couldn't get out of the car quick enough.

But here at this lovely home of a dear friend through blogging, we celebrated our reunion. 








The why did it happen this way and what happens next did not matter. God perfectly designed our reunion in His perfect timing.

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I have noticed my ability to compare. I compare myself to others way more than I would like to admit and I also compare my own experiences to each other. I have done much comparing of this homecoming to the last one. Both types of comparisons can steal your joy.

Maybe the comparison of homecomings happens because I believe a service member’s homecoming should be what my husband received when he returned home from his first deployment. That homecoming lived up to my expectations; it exceeded my expectations.

And maybe, more so likely, God seeks to teach what I should already know: it's not about us and our expectations... it's about Him.

It's always about Him.

God determined when and how my husband would return home from his first deployment and his second deployment. He determined one would have fanfare and one would be more intimate. Both equally appropriate and beautiful because God had returned my husband to U.S soil, into my arms and then gave us precious moments together. “To God be the glory forever and ever! Amen.”

As I reflect on the last few days with the man I love, there is no place for comparison. I only have room for gratitude.

Gratitude to God for my husband’s safe return home.

Gratitude to God for the time we had together.

Gratitude to God for the special lady He placed in my life who gave us a most wonderful gift: A warm and loving place of shelter. A place of shelter which ultimately pointed me back to the One who is our shelter and provides everything we need.

The name Shelter Point Retreat is a rather appropriate name for her gem of a home on the lake.


If you are in need of a getaway, I highly recommend you check out my friend's place. Visit the VRBO listing here and the Facebook page here. Kristin also writes about her retreat home here. It's more lovely than I could describe or show through photos.


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17 comments :

  1. I'm so, so, so, so thankful that you had this precious time together, my friend! Praying for wisdom with regard to medical decisions. And healing.

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend. So appreciate your prayers and YOU!

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  2. So grateful you had this time together...

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    1. Thank you, Jill. So good to see you. Hope you are doing well. xoxo

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  3. I'm praying for your hubby's quick healing! So thankful you got this time together.

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  4. Beth, I also have some serious problems with my neck - so I really commiserate with your husband's pain. My disc disease causes unmerciful headaches, too. Pain is just tough, no matter how or why it comes. But, I am glad that you and your husband were able to have this special time together. I'm sure that God worked much heart healing into your moments.

    Prayers for healing. And prayers for this military journey you are both on. May God continue to strengthen you both for all that comes.

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. I am so sorry for the problems you experience with your neck, Sharon. I know it was super hard to watch my husband do everything he could do to get comfortable but to have no success. Will pray for you. Thank you for your prayers. Much love. xoxo

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  5. I love your reflections. We're praying for Scott and so grateful we got to see y'all. :) Thanks for sharing about Shelter Point Retreat - I'm so glad it could be a shelter and retreat for you. Love you, friend. xoxo

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  6. Beth,
    So good to see that beautiful light in your smile. I can tell on this reunion that you were one happy and content woman. I'm sorry about the circumstances that brought him back, but am happy that you had this God ordained time together. Sharing in your joy sweet friend!
    Blessings,
    Bev xoxo

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    1. Thank you so much, Bev. I'm still smiling!!! And anxious for more time with him in a couple weeks. Much love. xoxo

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  7. Oh Beth, your beautiful smile is infectious. I'm so happy he's home safe with you, but I'm sorry for the difficult circumstances. Many prayers for his healing and many thanks for his years of service for our country. It looks like you two had a wonderful homecoming weekend away at Kristin's tranquil lake house. I'll have to check that place out. I live in Northern Ky.
    I don't know if I've been here since your blog redesign! I've been in and out of blogging over the past year. It looks fantastic. Many blessings to you and your precious family, my friend.

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    1. So good to see you, Candace. Thank you for your kind words and your prayers. You should totally check out Kristin's place. It's ADORABLE.
      Look forward to stopping by your place to say hello soon.
      Blessings.
      xoxo

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  8. How beautiful that gratitude crowds out comparison and leaves plenty of room for the love and peace that flows. It's so evident in your words and photos, Beth, despite your husband's physical pain.

    May healing come soon to his body. And may your time together bring you both deep peace and joy. I am so happy that you're enjoying each other's company again ...

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  9. Thank you for sharing your homecoming. I can hear the gratitude in your words and heart. God both times brought your husband back home even though they looked very different. I am praying that your husband's healing continues and that the two of you can be together all the time sooner rather than later. Love you and so glad to see these sweet pictures.

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