When a soldier comes home from a wartime deployment, there is a certain amount of guilt, because of those who didn't return. I remember being very aware of how lucky we were, and feeling some of that guilt myself, and compassion for the parents who lost their soldiers. These soldiers feel guilty for surviving when some didn't, they feel like they didn't see anything compared to some, and if they have no outward wounds then heck, they have nothing to complain about.
When Samuel joined the Army, it was like, "Oh no, here we go again...". His ASFAB scores were good, really good, he could have chosen some nifty career options, but no, he was infantry all the way, all he ever wanted to do. So when he was asked to join the Honor Guard, it was an answer to prayer...because the Old Guard generally do not deploy. So Sam has had his share of trials in his Army life, but ahhh....no PTSD for him.
Anyway..the thankfulness we feel when our prayers are answered tends to fade and disappear as life goes on...so when I saw these pictures this fine morning, and recalled the pure joy of hugging Ben, I decided to just be thankful today.
Yeah, Sunny peed on the floor. Yeah, one of my teenagers was snippy. Yeah, Paul had to wake up at 5-something to take an international call for work and accidentally unplugged the fan, which may not have fully awakened me if he hadn't said, "Sorry!", as he plugged it back in.
So my thankfulness isn't because life is smooth sailing. (You should have seen the stacks of dishes in the sink this morning! And the crumbled leaves and dirt the dogs brought in!)
As I head in for my sonogram today, I aim to hang on to that gratitude. I am aware that I am an easily shaken person, I have so many fears, but to have faith that God plans all things for our best, and resting in that, is not compatible with living in anxiety. So that's my fight for today...to be at rest.
Hebrews 2:14 - 16....
"Insamuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham."
Have a really good day!!!
3 comments:
I'm praying for you today - all day until I hear that everything is ok. I am terrified of health things - I had blood clots after my first son was born when I was just 20 - and it planted in my head that bad, horrible, terrible things can happen when you aren't even thinking about it. Of course my 45 year old self knows this - but it was quite a shock to my 20 year old self and it left it's impact. So now I always think a bump is cancer and a phone call from the doctor surely means immediate death. The past few weeks I have been through a pap test, blood tests which uncovered a 9.2 iron level, a vaginal ultrasound on the heaviest day of my period :( and an endometrial biopsy. The doctor thinks my heavy bleeding is just because of perimenopause. At each appointment I have not handled it well. Visibly crying, blood pressure through the roof, and sheer panic - sweating, heart beating out of my chest etc. Full blown panic attack while trying to have these things done. It is just so scary. I'm so scared of what "might" happen. My Mom has gone and held my hand through each procedure. I'm so grateful to have her. Wednesday I go for a consult to discuss what my options are so that I can stop bleeding so much and not be house bound 3 days out of the month. I'm praying for you today and printing out the last part of your words to post where I can see them often.
Sending good vibes your way Della. I hope everything went well today.
Marilyn from Canada
Well said.
Very best of luck!! 🍀
Simone
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