Dealing With Deployments...

There are many military wives/families
that have experienced (or will) dealing with deployments.
Often times, it can be easy to become discouraged.
Not that I am more experienced
(there are plenty of wives that have done this more than I)
and not that I have a fast-acting,
"everything will be wonderful and easy" solution,
but the following are some things that the Lord
has shown me in dealing with deployments...



• Focus on HIM

Keep Jesus Christ the focus.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you." ~ Matthew 6:33

Be fervent in prayer.
"Pray without ceasing."
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Keep a prayer journal.
Instead of calling family and friends,
call on your Heavenly Father,
your Greatest Friend,
"...that sticketh closer than a brother."
(Proverbs 18:24)

Be committed to quiet time with Him.
"... early will I seek thee..." (Psalm 63:1)
"With my whole heart have I sought thee..."
(Psalm 119:10)
Seize the opportunity to draw near to Him,
to nurture a personal and intimate
relationship with Him,
to deepen your walk with Jesus Christ.

Take time to memorize Scripture,
allowing what He says to change
your heart and thinking,
allowing His Word to comfort
and encourage you, always.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart..."
(Psalm 119:11)
"Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
and that seek him with the whole heart."
(Psalm 119:2)



• Focus on Husband

Continue to be his helpmeet
"...I will make him an help meet for him."
(Genesis 2:18b)

Pray for him fervently.
"...The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much."
(James 5:16b)

When communicating,
be cheerful, sweet, and informative.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

"Let your speech be alway with grace,
seasoned with salt..." (Colossians 4:6)
Avoid complaining.
Be calm when announcing 'bad news'.
Write often, even if it's just a small note,
but be sure to write occasional love letters, too. ;o)
Send care packages.
It doesn't always have to be a lot,
just frequent, thoughtful packages,
letting him know you're thinking of him.

Submit to and honor him.
"Wives, submit yourselves
unto your own husbands,
as it is fit in the Lord."
(Colossians 3:18)

"..and the wife see that
she reverence her husband."
(Ephesians 5:33b)

Help him by being frugal.
Avoid opposite gender friendships.
Ask if he has particular things
he desires for you to do or not to do,
or particular ways to do things.
Do what you can so that
his heart can safely trust in you.
"The heart of her husband
doth safely trust in her..."
(Proverbs 31:11a)



• Focus on Heritage

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD..."
(Psalm 127:3a)
Use this time to focus on the children.
Be diligent and consistent in training them up
in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

Work on character development,
spiritual growth, first time obedience,
habits, chores, life skills, etc...
With hubby's permission, go tv free.
Have special game nights, looking at photos, etc...
Begin or continue family Bible time and prayer time.
Focus on home educating.
"And thou shalt teach them diligently
unto thy children, and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up."
(Deuteronomy 6:7)



• Focus on Home

"To be ...keepers at home..." ~ Titus 2:5

"She looketh well to the ways
of her household..." ~ Proverbs 31:27a

Use this time to develop
better home keeping habits.
Read, research, and discover more ways
to make your home a sweet, peaceful haven.
Keep it clean and cozy.
With hubby's permission, downsize and simply.
Learn to make some new meals, desserts, etc...
that he may like when he returns.
Pick up a new hobby that can bless
the family and the home.
"She... worketh willingly with her hands."
(Proverbs 31:13)



• Focus on House of God

"Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together..."
(Hebrews 10:25a)
Become and stay faithful in church.
Aim to be in every service.
Be involved and serve the Lord
through the local church.
"...being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God."
(Colossians 1:10)

Get to know your church family more,
let them get to know you more,
and develop friendships with them.
"Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ."
(Galatians 6:2)

"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
they will be still praising thee."
(Psalm 84:4)


Deployments can be a time of blessings,
spiritual growth, and so much more.
If we just seize the opportunity,
while trusting Heavenly Father.


~ Christina K© November 2007