Tonight as I was sitting in a Christmas Eve church service, I realized just how much I have to be grateful for. I had my husbands family on my left and my family on my right. I was overwhelmed by how special that was. I was literally surrounded by more love and support than I could ever imagine. Lately, I have been ready to get back to my home but this realization completely changed my heart. I became so extremely grateful to be exactly where I was. I could not believe just how much I took for granted. How this was an opportunity others would give anything to experience. It was moment I will not forget and an experience I will cherish for so many years to come.
The service was not your typical Christmas Eve message. It touched on how Jesus was “the reason for the season” but the main message was how God is greater than any and everything we will ever encounter. Greater than fear, doubt, stress, worry, hate and anything else you can put in that blank. He is greater than this separation and deployment. He is greater than my sadness and pain. He is greater.
It was such a beautiful reminder of His greatness and sovereignty. I also was reminded that where He is, so is His peace, joy, rest, comfort and so much more. Those four things hit me especially hard because I really am in need of them all. I was shocked when I realized that I had been relying on my own strength and toughness to get me through this season of separation. I was trying to do it all on my own and making it so much more difficult than it needed to be. I barely am a few weeks in and I am exhausted already. So as I sat there between my families, I gave it all to God. Exactly where it should have been from the beginning.
Tomorrow will undoubtably be a tough day but I am grateful for Gods peace to help us both through. And I have so much to be thankful for. I will not let the one thing that I do not have ruin all that I do have.
This Beautiful Life 
Well said! One of my favorite Scriptures: Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
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Thank you so much for that scripture. It is so applicable and needed. That is one of my favorites but I definitely needed to be reminded of it. Blessings to you and your family.
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Amen! It is wonderful that you found all the things you are thankful for.
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Absolutely! Sometimes I get so focused on what others have or what I do not have that I over look all the blessings I have. Life is so much more enjoyable with a grateful heart ❤
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Yes sister leave it all to God. Lean on him for him alone is love, comfort and strength. I love the frankness in this piece!
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Absolutely! Sometimes I start to try to do it on my own but that ALWAYS leads to failure, stress and frustration. Trust and relying on God is definitely the only way! Thank you so much for reading and for the encouragement.
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To move on, you must learn to let go. Self therapy is important. No one can assist you but you. Trust in God to achieve this. Yes you can!
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Congratulations on one year of marriage, be sure to treasure each moment of each year, as the time goes so quickly
As I know so well, as we celebrated 35 years of marriage in June
May you husband and yourself have a Christ filled Chritmas
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Wow, that is so beautiful. Congratulations on 35 years of marriage! I absolutely love advice on life and marriage. Especially from those who are where I one day want to be. I cant wait to one day have 35 years with my husband. I definitely will enjoy and treasure each and every moment and season of life and marriage. Blessings to you and your family.
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Love it
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Thank you! I appreciate that!
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Its unique and well spoken….anyone can relate nice work
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Thanks for sharing these things sister. Yes His peace can carry you and hubby through everything. May his grace be with you both. 🙂
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Thank you for reading and for such kind words and blessings. I am so grateful for Gods love, strength, comfort that he gives to us. Blessings to you and your family.
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thx for the follow
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And He will carry you through. He‘ll be home before you know it.💕
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He most definitely will! That truly is the only way I will make it. It doesn’t feel like its going by quickly yet but just taking it day by day and hoping to look up soon and he’ll be home ❤ Thank you for the encouragement!!
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What we do during the wait matters too and I’m so glad you write so well, you could inadvertently be starting a support/hangout group for young ladies whose spouses are away also and helping them all deal too. You are doing great. God’s got you dear. ❤️
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This was wrote beautifully. Read Psalms 73:26 when you get a chance my dear. I feel it will bring you comfort as it has also brought me comfort during times of trial.
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Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I needed that.I just read that passage a it bought tears to my eyes. Its been a trying week. I am physically, mentally and emotionally. This was exactly the thing I needed to be reminded of. He is my strength and will never fail me. Thank you again for this scripture. I know I will refer back to it many times.
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You’re welcome honey. It warms my heart to know it brought you so much comfort.
My eldest brother served in the Marines and was in Iraq for longer than a year. It is overwhelming but throw your burdens on God to sustain you and pray just to get through the day. ♥
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Thank you both for your service (because the families serve right alongside our troops).
And what a beautiful reminder on the importance of perspective. And faith. And surrender.
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Thank you. I truly appreciate that. Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such kind words.
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This was such an inspiring piece! Thanks for the like on my last post. Happy Holidays!
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Thank you so much for reading! I enjoyed your post as well! Hope your new year is off to a great start!
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Awesome.
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Thank you for reading!
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Beautifully written
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Wow thank you! I really appreciate that!
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God Bless you…. Perspective, and outlook and reality all rolled up into one. Its not easy, but it is… Than you BOTH for your commitment to our military.
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That is so true and well said. I have just begun to realize that and it truly is a game changer on my outlook and perspective. Thank you for your encouragement and support! I really do appreciate it. Wishing you blessings and a happy new year.
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Beautiful post. Thank you for your interest in my blog and I look forward to following yours.
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You have a beautiful blog. I enjoyed your writings. Thank you for taking the time to check out and read mine as well!
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Thank you! And it was my pleasure.
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This is lovely, a good reminder of what to be thankful for. Thanks for the like on my new blog! 🙂
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Thank you for taking the time to read my post! And absolutely! So happy to have found your blog. I really enjoyed it!!
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Let’s not allow the things we don’t have ruin the things we have. I absolutely love that! ♥
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I have let those things ruin far too much in the past but that stops here! I am pursuing happiness and contentment and I am so excited to see where it leads me. Wishing you the same. Thank you so much for your comment!
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You are welcome. Yeah! We should always forget the past and have hope for the future.
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Thanks for the like. I enjoyed your writing.
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I very much enjoyed your post. Thank you for taking the time to read mine as well!
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I believe it is so important to remember all that God has blessed us with. I deserve nothing yet I look around and I have everything!
Such a great message and an incredible reminder to all of us.
God Bless!
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That is so true! It truly is so humbling and sobering to see just how good He is to us when like you said, we deserve nothing. Whether we have good days or bad ones, theres always so much to be grateful for. Thank you for reading and for reaching out to me!
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Well said and there is a thin line between being grateful and being thankful .
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There is nothing like giving it to God. It great that we let go and can now feel his peace right. So glad for you in such a tough time you need him Jesus 💜
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Absolutely! I am so grateful to have a God who protects and watches over us like He does. Thank you for your encouragement!
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We will be journeying with you through your entry’s
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