“So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)
Having a loved one in the military can leave us feeling utterly helpless. Events come at us at the speed of light, and we don’t even have the ability to get out of the way.
We watch as those we love leave for parts unknown, putting their lives on the line. Beyond that, we fight the hardships of loneliness, changes in duty station and long hours away from those we love.
I don’t cope well with this state of helplessness. I’m a person of action–a doer. If I see something that needs fixing, I’m the one rolling up her sleeves to make it happen. I don’t like sitting around waiting.
But life with a loved one in the military is categorized by waiting, and that frustrates me beyond belief. It was during those times that I was frequently known to complain that all I could do was pray.
It was also during those times that I learned that prayer is not an afterthought activity.
God showed me that prayer is powerfully active. He never intended it as a last resort. As I was forced to spend more time pouring my fears and stresses out to him, he showed me the peace that can only come from an active relationship with him. More than that, he showed me how my prayers could affect my Marine Corps son.
As I sat at home, praying, God moved and answered those prayers. He provided my son with protection, comrades to keep him from loneliness, and the wisdom and spiritual insight to anticipate and avoid danger.
Even though my son is once again home safe, I no longer refer to prayer as an afterthought. No matter the situation, it’s the first thing on my to-do list.
