Sometimes in life, we make choices and take stands that make us un-popular. This is nothing new to me. I have been in that position most of my life, and is much of the reason I do not have a relationship with my mother.
So, today, here I am, and I am taking a stand. I am standing for our men in uniform who are currently deployed in a war zone. They are tired, sleep deprived, those in office jobs are still working 14 to 16 hours a day, they live in a uniform, shower when they can, and see things we can never understand. My family is approximately 7 weeks into its 1st deployment. I have never been prouder of my Tim.
Are things perfect? Nope. Is it tough to communicate? Yes. Do I miss him? Of course. Does my heart break for my children? Yes.-- But do I believe in what he does? YES, resounding YES. As my kids say, "the daddies are in 'ghanistan getting the bad guys." Not everyone is willing to do that. Not everyone is willing to sign up in a time of war, to do what our men do.
This all said, I'm writing today, a completely imperfect woman, completely imperfect wife, completely imperfect mother, and I am already weary of the negativity coming through this deployment. Our guys bust their tushes EVERY SINGLE DAY! They are facing IED's, terrorists, RPG's and more. They are living in weather that I cannot even fathom. And the BEST of the accommodations are not something I would be willing to stay in for more than a weekend. Yet there they are, of their own choice, training a nations soldiers to take over their own security, 7,000 miles from their families. And, yet, somehow, when they do find the energy and time to call/write/email us ladies back home...should they be worried that we will be upset with their attitude? I should seriously hope not. We're here, and yes, we are working hard, keeping up with houses, cars, taking care of children, some are working, some are in school, some are volunteering ~it is NOT by any means an easy life. However, unless we are living in a tent, sleeping on a cot, watching our friends or co workers get hurt, wondering if when we go out on patrol if everyone we left with will come back...we do not have it that bad.
It is not good or godly to blast your husband online. Imagine how he feels, signing on to FB to see you rip him apart. Yeah, maybe he was a jerk today. Maybe he had a right to be~ maybe he was on communication blackout and couldn't call or write. (Which by the way means something not so good happened, perhaps instead of being mad about it, we should be thankful that there isn't someone on our doorstop notifying us that the worst happened to us.)
I don't mean to sound preachy. I am BY NO MEANS perfect. I certainly don't claim to be. I also have a rockin' husband, who I love dearly. Hey, but we have our little issues here and there, that's marriage. when we marry, we are ONE. United. Though many miles may separate us, we are to remain ONE. So, ask yourself, before you say or post something about your husband...are you behaving as though you are one? Are you REALLY trying to understand where he is coming from on this deployment? Do you get that it SUCKS over there? Is your husband always right while he's deployed? Well, probably not. No one is right all the time. But, put it all in context. He is fighting a war.
I feel like this Scripture I am sharing below speaks exactly to this issue: In love, we must place others above ourselves. God placed us above Himself when He allowed His Son to die for us. Let's be willing to be second fiddle for awhile.
Romans 12: 9-13 (The Message) Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle .Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.