Taking Communication for Granted

I knew during this deployment that communication would be important, but I did not understand what a lifeline it would be. Since Austin departed I rarely am without my phone right beside me or in hand. I have a blackberry that lights up when I have an email or facebook update. As soon as I see that light, I'm on that phone checking to see if I have a message for my hubby. Until Austin is actually at his place of residence for the year, we have no routine for communication. First, I just got to hear where he was through his chaplain assistant's wife (they have a satellite phone). Since then I have had two calls, one that lasted 6 minutes and another that lasted 20 minutes, but was staticky and hard to hear. I have gotten a few emails at random. I read each one at least 20 times cherishing the words from my love and trying to imagine where he is at and what he is doing!! Tonight was frustration, as I got a call from the chap. asst. wife saying that Austin had tried to call me!! WHAT!?!? So I tried to call him to the satellite phone and all I got was a message telling me the number was disconnected!! I called her back and she texted her husband. Finally, I got a call and it was Austin!! We talked for maybe a minute (expensive and he was on the move again), but I just soaked in hearing his voice and hearing him say I love you. Thank the Lord for technology...I would not survived being an army wife in WWII!!

It just makes me so completely appreciative of every little bit of communication I get. I try not to get frustrated and bitter as I might have more communication than some are able to have. I just try to relish in each time we have some sort of contact and let that take me to the next time! All I know is I will never ever look at a phone call, email, text, or any connection from my hubby the same way again!

He Gives out of His Abundance

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Most of this time this passage is used when talking about giving. I believe that is its rightful context as Paul is talking to the church in Philippi. But I also believe it says something about the character of our God. He meets ALL our needs according to His Glorious Riches and His abundance. Do I imagine God dancing around heaven in pools of gold as His glorious riches?...no not really! Are all my needs monetary?...not usually. Even though I know the Lord has provided for us financially during this season, and I praise Him greatly for that, I have a deeper need. I have a need for him to meet my loneliness.

I dealt with loneliness being single after college and doing ministry up in the cold northeastern part of the country. It was a struggle, but God was there meeting my need from His abundance and not from my own or anyone else's. I have spent the last couple of days very busy to keep my mind of of Austin being deployed and enjoying new and old relationships. On Sunday evening I had spent most of the weekend with people and had thoroughly enjoyed myself. Yet, I laid down to sleep and a flood of loneliness and aching for my husband washed over me. I told myself...no more tears, but they came. I fought the thoughts of, "God, why did you give me a husband just to be separated from him 2 years later." or "I can't do this for a whole year." I consoled myself to sleep. I awoke in a funk the next morning with my loneliness still uncured. I simply said to God, "I just need to talk to him." I spent the morning with God asking him to basically meet my needs and to use me that day.

Our God is so kind and you know what...He will meet ALL our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I spent the day out and about and the Lord met my needs as I served others and had great conversations with a Godly friend. Then that evening as I am expecting nothing else...a phone call comes in. It was Austin! God had heard my simple plea and He was gracious and kind with me. He had already filled me up that day with His peace, yet He gave me this kindness...a 20 minute conversation with my hubby. Granted, the phone call was full of static and I could barely hear Austin at times, but my heart was truly full and I knew it was from God! He knows what we need and He gives out of His Great Abundance! Be encouraged in this!