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What to Do in an Extraordinary Situation

Posted by KathrynBaskara on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 in Faith | Comments (0)

“Have you ever thought about what you would do in an extraordinary situation?”

My husband’s random question caught me a little off-guard.

“Like, would you saw off your own arm to keep from freezing to death?”  (Referring to the movie 127 Hours.)  “ Or would you chase down the guy that stole your phone right from your hand?”  (Referring to a story we recently heard.)

I surprised myself by saying, “No.  I wouldn’t do any of that.  If someone were to describe me, “brave” and “courageous” probably wouldn’t be the words that first come to mind.”

As I heard those words come out of my mouth, I felt sad and ashamed of knowing that I might lack courage in any situation.

As I reflected on this conversation from the night before, out of nowhere (I love it when God does this!), God spoke to me: “Be strong and courageous.  Be strong and courageous.  Be strong and courageous!”

I instantly knew that the verse these words come from would be my “theme” as I confront 2012.  “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

2011 was a rough year for my family for a number of reasons, and many work-ups and a deployment loom in 2012.  There is a lot to be afraid of in the coming year.  I’m not threatened by freezing to death in our warm duty station (unless my husband still insists on keeping the heat off), and I don’t anticipate having my phone stolen from my hands (since I generally can’t walk and talk at the same time).

The situations I will face this year are not unique to the military wife, but they are extraordinary.  And I can be strong and courageous as I face them with my Lord by my side.

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Kathryn is a Christian military wife. She feels blessed to be surrounded by adorable things: a husband, a son, and two dogs. Kathryn’s faith and family are her life. When her husband is at work and her son is napping, she loves writing, reading, working out, baking, and keeping a happy (and mostly clean) house. You can learn a bit more about her by visiting kathrynbaskara.blogspot.com.

 

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The Growlery

Posted by Bettina Dowell on Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 in Devotionals | Comments (2)

It had been a challenging day and the voice from 3000 miles away made me smile.  When my son asked, “So, how are you doing Mom?” I hedged, not wanting to be negative.  He sensed my hesitation and asked what was wrong.  “Nothing serious,” I replied, “just one of those days when I can’t seem to get anything moving forward in the right direction.”  He said, “So, you’re in a bad mood.  Maybe you need to go to your growlery.”

Having never read Dickens’ Bleak House, I must admit I had not a clue what my son was describing.  He went on to tell me that a growlery (the term was originally coined by Dickens) is a place you go to be alone when you are in a bad mood.  Now that was something I could relate to on many levels.

Have you ever had one of those days?  You know the kind I’m describing, a day when you felt like the best thing you could do for everyone was to go back to bed.   The difficulty is that military wife life often leaves little room for such a retreat.  So what is a woman of faith to do?

This is probably the part of the article where you brace yourself for me to share with you five simple steps to vanquishing your bad mood into the blue.   But what if we look at a different approach?  What if you find a bathroom stall at work, a closet in your house or a quiet spot in your car and enter into your growlery?  What if you took a few minutes to pour out the aches, pains and frustrations in your heart?  Listen to what David said in the Psalms.

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for our God is a refuge.  Psalm 62:8

The difference for a woman of faith is we do not enter our growlery alone.  Our heavenly Father goes with us.  And here is our comfort and assurance.  No matter how ugly, loud or vulgar the growling may become, He is big enough to hear it.  And how do we know this?  Because, before we even enter, He already knows us.

He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made out of mud.

Psalm 103:14 (The Message)

So where does life find you today?  Are you feeling in a bad mood, depressed or having the blues?  How about entering your growlery and pouring out your heart to the One who knows you inside and out.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving

Posted by Shauna Irizarry on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 in 30 Days of Prayer | Comments (0)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods.  His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”  Psalm 136:1-3

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I know that many times we cannot see those things that we should be thankful for.  But, no matter what we are facing or where we are in life, one thing to always remember is to be thankful for Jesus.  He reached down and saved you, He has promised you a place in heaven, He has said He will never leave your or forsake you, He has promised His provisions for you, He is waiting to put His arms around you in comfort, He owns a cattle on a thousand hills and can meet any financial need you have, He is the Great Physician and can heal all that ails you, He awaits with encouragement just for you, He showers you daily with love, He is there to carry you when you can no longer go on.  Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.

Prayer prompt: Today, let your prayers be praise.  Ask for nothing, but instead give to God a song of praise that will fill His heart with joy.

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For our Children

Posted by Shauna Irizarry on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 in 30 Days of Prayer | Comments (0)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26-27

There are some things we just don’t always know how to pray.  I think of my children, when their father is deployed or at training.  I pray for them and for their understanding of his job, but what do they really need prayer for?  Most children themselves cannot tell you what they need prayer for, but God knows.  This verse tells us, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…” Amazing!  If we can just stop before God and ask him to show us how to pray for these needs not known, He will direct our words.

Prayer prompt: Lift up all military children today.  Many times we as adults do know exactly what they need during deployment, or TDY’s, or any other reason for separation from their service member.  Pray for open hearts to know their needs as if we were a child ourselves.

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Praying for Others

Posted by Shauna Irizarry on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 in 30 Days of Prayer | Comments (1)

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” 1 Peter 4:7

When praying for others, many times the stuff of your day can creep into your prayers.  It is so vital that your mind be clear and focused on the person you are praying for.  Is God giving you a verse of reference for them?  You need to be able to hear and respond to God’s urging.

Prayer prompt: Be in prayer today for our Wives of Faith Prayer Team.  Pray for their minds to not be muddled with distractions, but that they instead be clear and concise in their prayers for the needs that are brought before them.

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