My husband and I invited a young lieutenant over for lunch last weekend. He was a reservist temporarily assigned to my husbands command, away from his wife and young daughters for a few weeks. We figured he might enjoy a meal that wasn’t from the galley or heated up in the hotel microwave.
He had a heart for service and was considering going fully active some day, but he didn’t think it would be good for his wife and daughters.
He turned to me: “What has been your experience as a Navy wife?”
Well, that’s not exactly easy to sum up in one after-lunch chit chat.
I’ve met some of the most amazing people who have changed my life for the better.
I’ve had had to say good-bye to every single one of those dear friends.
I’ve gotten to live in spectacular places I never would have lived in without the military.
I’ve had to live in places I never would have chosen without the military. You know the ones.
My kids have learned to trust God and see Him guiding them throughout all the change, uncertainty, and loss that comes with being a military family.
My kids have been forced to build resilience, and that is a painful process.
My husband and I have had some of the best years of our lives together.
We have gone through seasons I was so scared we weren’t going to make it.
What has my experience been? My experience is summed up in this: God is faithful. Through the moves, the friends, the lonely nights, the new experiences, the losses, the tears, and the joy, He has never waivered in His great love and care for my family. I’m so thankful to have experienced His nearness and tender care in the context of this one amazing life He has given me.
There will come a time when we will lay it down, this military life and eventually this very breath, and I can say without the slightest shade of doubt that it has all been worth it to have experienced His great faithfulness.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see!
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!