My heart goes to you

I admire the strength of women, like Elena, married to men in the army. Men who are deployed to war zones. Men who do not get the priviledge of seeing their loved ones before they go to bed or when they rise. Men who cannot be there for the birth of their children or watch them take their first step.

You could tell me it's their choice to be with such men and that would be true. But those men deserve to have someone to love. Someone who loves them back. Someone who is willing to spend the rest of their lives with them even if it means they don't get to see each other for years at times.

I admire such love. Love that thrives across that kind of distance and the fear of knowing you could lose your someone special anyday, and perhaps not even hear about it until a news report pops up or someone carelessly mentions it on the internet.

But at this moment, I cannot imagine ever having the strength to be like those women. I don't even sleep well when Fab is away for a night. One night. These women don't see their husbands for months at a time and often have no way of communicating with their spouse. And their husbands are in places like Iraq whereas mine is in another State or just in a different town in the same State. He is safe. He is staying in a hotel. He is well fed and travels in reasonable comfort.

All I know to do right now is to pray for these women. To pray for added strength to weather any situation. For wisdom in raising their young children who perhaps question why 'Daddy' isn't there more. For peace when no contact can be made and news is received of trouble in the far away land where their husband is. For patience when people around them make insensitive remarks or constantly ask about their husband when it is clear they cannot give an answer. For love and grace to carry them through every season and see their marriage grow stronger still.

Father, You care for each of these women and men. You care for their children. Father, protect them. Protect their marriages. Their families. Give them joy in every moment and hope for the future. May they know that You love them and that You are good. May they come to realise they can depend on You for anything and everything and that You are able to look after every need and bless them beyond that.

Thank You for letting me have Fab close by. For guarding our relationship and faithfully guiding and providing for us at every stage of our lives.