i'm in the Lord's army

i didn't grow up in a military family. we were patriotic, for sure. my dad taught all of us kids to thank veteran military. we celebrated our country's holiday with great respect and pride. i lived ten miles from a military base, but otherwise didn't have a ton of exposure to military families or life "inside the base". as a child, i never said that famous phrase, "i'll never marry into the military". i was too naive to even breathe those words.

then i met my husband. i was instantly intrigued with military life. i got a book from the library about the air force to impress my new beau. it must have worked, we've been married for over 3 years. ;) with each passing day, i am learning more about the sacrifice that my husband makes for his country, even to point of being separated from those he loves. he is torn, yet his mindset is that his job "over there" keeps his family safe "over here". i love him for this.

at church on sunday, we sang "america the beautiful". i become completely emotional (some blame goes to my lovely pregnancy hormones) during the verse

"o beautiful for heroes prov'd

in liberating strife,

who more than self their country loved

and mercy more than life."

my husband's life is not his own. he gets up early, travels to distant places, endures harship, does things he would rather not do sometimes because he is fighting for a greater cause. i respect him and the numerous others who "more than self their country love".

i'm in the military now. but, guess what? i've been in the military for years. i grew up singing the fun kid's song with hand motions, "i'm in the Lord's army. yes, sir!". i forget, though. i get busy, distracted, complacent, selfish, and i forget. i'm more concerned about being comfortable, having a "good" week (what does this mean, anyway?), and completing all my to-do's so i can feel productive that i forget to pull out my dusty armor and fight with the weaponry given to me freely through the blood of Christ. i sit here in my cush lifestyle while brothers and sisters in Christ are tortured, yes tortured, for simply trusting in God. approximately 164,000 Christians are dying as matryrs each year for the name of Jesus. and i have a hard time asking my neighbor if she goes to church. lame-o.

my life is not my own. i will move where the air force tells me to move. at times, i will miss my husband greatly as he completes his duty as an American soldier. our lives on this earth are not our own. we must endure hardship, do things we would rather not do sometimes, be uncomfortable, get up early and spend time praising, praying, pushing back the enemy. it's for a much greater cause.

"i may never ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery, fly over the enemy,

i may never march in the infantry, but i'm in the Lord's army. yes, sir!"