Two months down.
Two months of missing my hubby, two months of adjusting to life back with my family, two months of watching my baby grow, and two months of wondering, “Do I really have what it takes to be a mom and a military wife?”
The answer to that question is “absolutely I have what it takes.” Not because I’m doing some superb job, but because I know the art of just putting one foot in front of the other and doing the next thing.
Productivity is key. Over the last week and a half, I’ve really slacked and in that time, I’ve missed my husband more. The laundry piled up, I just wanted to take a day long nap, I only lived to hear my phone’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme ringtone letting me know that my husband was calling. Not good.
But today I’m doing much better. I cleaned, I organised, I folded the looming pile of laundry, and even made plans to meet with a friend. My daughter is happily testing her budding crawling skills on the floor and I just finished having my devotions.
Watching the little Bean learn to crawl may be some of my motivation. She hasn’t quite grasped the coordination of it. She just flings herself forward. But oh how determined she is! Sometimes she lands on her face, sometimes she maintains her balance, but either way she just keeps trying and she slowly, but surely, can inch her way across the living room floor.
That’s kind of how I’m surviving deployment. Slowly, but surely inching my way through. One foot in front of the other. I’m reading, writing, plugging along, and taking one day at a time.
And the best part is, I’m learning so many new skills that I can implement in my marriage!
The skill of communication effectively and concisely. When you only have 10-15 minutes at a time to talk to your spouse, you say what you need to say pretty quickly. Both my husband and I have tended to beat around the bush sometimes in our conversations of the past, but now we’re learning to put all our cards on the table. Oddly enough, our communication has never been better, despite the many miles between us!
I’m learning about what foods are best for me and make me feel good. Diet has always been tricky for me, but I’m slowly learning how to fuel myself efficiently. Bonus side effect of living with a very talented sister: I’m collecting so many recipes to add to my arsenal. When my sailor gets home, there’ll be less ordering in, more delicious meals served hot and fresh after a long day’s work.
I’m also learning about living wholeheartedly for God. My life doesn’t just revolve around missing my husband. My life is about giving glory to God. Whether that means throwing myself into relationships with people at church or taking time to quiet my heart and enjoy the silence of my apartments, I’m leaning to rely completely on God. My strength isn’t found in my husband or my countdown. My strength is found solely in my Saviour. And that’s very comforting.
So yeah, I’ve got this, because God’s got me. Two months down!!! Hubby’s going to be home before I know it.
Becoming Still Waters 