Surviving Deployment With Help From A Tasty Morsel

One look in the mirror makes you wonder if you’re actually surviving deployment. Or are you not going to make it?

You thought you were in a rhythm. The dog is being fed, and the kids are alive at least. However, it’s trash night, hubby’s car has a dead battery, the blinds are broken and you haven’t worked out in 17 days. Or 47. You’ve lost count. Not to mention the pile of mail on the counter.

Solution?

A handful of chocolate chips, of course.

The tasty morsels have a way of drowning out everything, at least for a minute. They give the impression that I’m surviving deployment for now. And they go down quickly enough to sneak in between rocking a crying baby and vacuuming up dog hair AGAIN.

Surviving Deployment In Your Soul

I do have to get my chocolate fix in every day. Twice a day. But there are a few other morsels I turn to in my darkest hour. When I am fed up. When all hell is breaking loose. When surviving deployment seems the most difficult.

I turn to little bites of scripture from the Bible. I sing the chorus of a worship song, or even a song from Sunday School from long ago that is cemented in my mind. I turn to Jesus for His peace and strength.

I don’t always have time for a long Bible study, prayer session, or call to a friend. I love those too. But sometimes you only have time for a morsel of yumminess. A little Bible verse is like a chocolate chip for the soul.

Here are a few of my favorite “morsels” or tools for surviving deployment:

Bible Verses:

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I love this one in the Amplified version (more in-depth translation):

1 Peter 5:6-8

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

I also like to post verses around my house, such as this one which is on my bathroom mirror:

Apps:

You Version– a great Bible app. I pull this out frequently to read a verse or go through one of their many plans.

Jesus Calling. Inspiration devotionals for each day. Not free but a good one. It also comes in a book, which is what I have, and Kindle as well.

Facebook Pages:

Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives This one is encouraging and written by military spouses who know deployment well.

James MacDonald: Walk In The Word. This is an uplifting page, lots of verses and he also does great podcasts on iTunes.

What helps you survive deployment– what are your “tasty morsels?” (for body and soul?)

Tagged as: deployment, life as a navy wife, Married to military, Military Life, Military spouse support, Military spouses, navy spouse, Navy Spouses, real military wives