Facing the Unknown

The LORD has been so gracious this past seven days or so. I cannot get over His indescribable love for us, His people. Even the tiniest detail of our lives is priority to Him.

On Steven’s birthday evening, we received the call from Tyler that his battalion would be deploying to the Middle East probably right away. We all packed our bags and left the next morning at 5 AM to spend our last weekend with him before leaving the states. He traveled back to the base after our visit and the next morning his flight was booked. Shortly thereafter, he left letting us know it could be 30 days before we hear from him again.

Graciously, we heard his voice not even 24 hours later with detail of the countries he had already visited. In fact, we were able to get a call from him every day until this week, and every time we heard his voice another wave of peace swept over me. Blizzard conditions with sub-zero temperatures delayed entrance into their designated command post!

Now…no word. I’m reminded of the apostle Thomas who was the only disciple after Jesus’ resurrection who wasn’t present to see with his physical eyes that Jesus was alive. He told his friends (the other apostles) that he wouldn’t believe it until he saw it. Jesus graciously returned to them later proving to “doubting Thomas” that what he had heard was true. Jesus’ response? “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” This is the call for those of you, like me, who are in that place of the unknown. I have to believe Tyler is okay IF I want the blessing of peace and rest and hope. And I do. So, I will. Even if it’s day by day, hour by hour, or minute by minute.

We’ve known for quite some time that deployment was probable so many thoughts have run through my mind about what it would feel like when this time came. Several weeks ago, I ran across these verses that have become so special to me recently:

This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah (raw-maw meaning hill; a place north of Jerusalem on the road to Bethel), mourning and great weeping, Rachel (name that comes from the root meaning ewe or sheep) weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more."

This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.

Jeremiah 31:15-17

It was really cool when I learned these verses are actually a part of the Christmas story! They are referenced in Matthew, chapter 2, verse 18 and depict another time of great suffering when momma’s all across “Bethlehem and its vicinity (vs. 16)” lost their sons. But, Jesus’ life was spared so that we would have power over our enemies and so that we could experience that “hope for our future” that Jeremiah spoke about.

"We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

I'm so glad Jesus came that night long ago in Bethlehem. What a celebration! Where would I be had He decided not to? Where would you be?