Veteran's Honor

Soldiers. Warriors. Veterans. Heroes.

It takes a special kind of heart,

to take on that duty, that title.

To follow a call, 

to depart

across the nation; 

to protect the nation

with strength, integrity and passion.

Going to unimaginable lengths...

taking on hardships, trials and death 

so we can live in

Peace.

War - Piece by piece taking our hearts and our loved ones

Satan wanting to gain control of our lives piece by piece.

But the true victory of Christ brings the ultimate peace.

It burdens my heart, the number of fallen soldiers,

seen to the world as just that: "a number"

But Christ sees every soul affected, 

rocks them in His arms when they can't slumber.

He knows every hair on these heroes heads

He feels every physical hurt, absorbs their blood that is shed.

He knows every emotion, fear and hope written on their hearts,

shining a light of hope for them to navigate in the dark.

For God's Word promises in 1 Corinthians 15

"sown in corruption, raised in incorruption"

hope in our Lord supersedes all destruction

"sown in dishonor, raised in glory"

Christ defeating death is the happy end to any story

"sown in weakness, raised in power"

The Lord offers strength and peace, no matter the hour.

"sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body"

Glorious resurrection for us, is the promise from He

The battle behind the battle

Spiritual behind the physical

The understanding of "why?" seems beyond critical

Why heartache?

Why pain?

Why death?

Why loss?

...sometimes we're not granted an answer,

that's why we place hope in the cross.

True victory,

pushing us on, through the loss.

God's Word proclaims:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory"

Knowing this does not mean we don't miss,

but it allows us to smile thinking of our loved ones in pure bliss.

"O Death, where is your victory?

O Death, where is your sting?"

Gone. Evaporated. Forever,

in the power of our King.

Our Veterans, true heroes

leave a legacy way past words.

Their actions have a voice and deserve to be heard.

"So it is with the resurrection of the dead:

Sown in corruption, raise in incorruption;

sown in dishonor, raised in glory;

sown in weakness, raised in power;

sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body."

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

- 1 Corinthians 15: 42-44, 57

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

It was my Daddy's birthday yesterday and I wanted to write him a birthday-lovin' poem :) It is funny because the style of this writing came out sounding a little child-like, but I think that is perfect because that is still how I feel around my Dad--like his little girl :) Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you!

Gentle.

Is the first word that comes to mind

When I think of you and how you are kind

To everyone; your heart is so sweet

Soft spoken and genuine to all people you meet

Patience.

Is another word to describe your love.

Having me as a daughter called for it beyond and above.

Always supportive, no matter what I had done.

Having you as my daddy? Yup, I definitely won.

Selfless.

Doing all for your family and none for yourself

What you have given us far exceeds wealth

Comfort, love, laughs, safety and strength

When it comes to supporting us, you go to great lengths

Precious.

There is something about you, dad that makes my heart skip.

There’s a spot in my heart carved out for Daddy that I trust you will never rip.

The things you say and encouragement you give hold so much weight.

Spending time with you is like an ideal date.

Funny.

Countless jokes and funny stories

Your humor is witty and quick, like a cool breeze

No matter what you say, it’s just funny because you’re dad.

I could go on and on listing the fun times we’ve had.

Hardworking.

Is a trait instilled in who you are.

Providing and setting an example so we can go far.

Working long hours, fixing everything around.

No where, from you could a complaint be found

Generous.

Not only with your love but also with your time

I pray to possess half of that quality that you have as mine

Always thinking of others and doing favors for them

If I need you for something the only question asked is “when?”

Daddy.

Is how I will describe you last.

It’s my title for you—future, present and past.

Nothing will change, I’m forever your “girlie”

I love you, Dad and thank you for loving me.

Almost Missed

Okay so this has been on my heart to write for a little while now, but it's cool because I know this will speak to someone's heart tonight or else I wouldn't be writing it.

Background story:
At my church's weekly women's Bible study we were talking about how God is a God of miracles, but how sadly we overlook or are blind to the ways in which He is miraculously working in our lives. 

I really felt saddened by this.  "God, please, let me see through Your eyes", I prayed, "help me to see instances where someone needs You and give me the love, discernment and boldness to do so"

Little did I know how amazingly true this prayer would play out the following day.

So the next day after I drop my roommate, Sarah, off on campus, I am pulling back into our apartment complex and see this boy sitting on the curb by our gate's entrance.  My heart is instantly pulled towards him.  As I drive past I feel my heart strings drawing me to him and smile at him as I pass.  He looked so...dejected.  Just terribly sad, and it broke my heart.

Almost instantly I turn back around--not knowing what I am going to do but just compelled to do something.  I pull up and roll down the window "Hey...are you okay?" He gently nodded and gave me an unconvincing thumbs up.  "Are you sure?" is my next question which he follows with another slow nod.

As I drive away, I start talking to myself..."of course he is not okay, Robyn" then I got the sense that the Lord was saying "more, daughter, do more"  I started praying, "Okay God I know you want me to do something for this boy but what should I do?" BINGO! God reminded me I had scripture written out and in the middle console of my car: 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity"

-Jeremiah 29:11-14

Okay Lord. You want me to give him that scripture.  I fought my flesh thinking "Gosh, he is going to think I am pretty silly driving past him now for a third time" but I felt God pushing gently "If you offer it and he declines, great.  I taught you a lesson in boldness.  If you offer it and he accepts, great.  I spoke to my son."  I was reminded of what my other roommate, Mallory had said, if we are filled with Christ, we should not be afraid to speak out because He alone gives us the ability to do so. 

That was all I needed to grab the piece of paper with Jeremiah 29:11-14 on it, pull my car forward and roll down the window.  "Hey, sorry to come around again but I just wanted to offer you some encouragement", I say as I hand out the piece of paper.

The boy stands as I am speaking reaching his hand out and at one glance instantly starts weeping.  These were tears from deep seeded hurt that only God could speak to, and He did.  "Thank you, thank you, thank you" he kept repeating and he continued to cry.

Wow. I. Almost. Missed. This.

I sat there in awe for a moment.  I asked if I could do anything for him, if he needed to just talk to somebody.  "No, but thank you, thank you, thank you"  I told him I would be praying for him and drove off.

It was now my turn to weep.  I did not even make it back to my apartment building when the tears started pouring out of me.  Tears of sadness for whatever pain this boy was experiencing and going through.  Tears of awe in the sheer awesomeness of God.  Tears of thankfulness in being chosen to be used by God in that moment.

Guys, I did absolutely nothing that day.  God knew what that boy needed to hear.  The Holy Spirit guided me directly to him, so the God of the universe could speak truth and encouragement into his life.  I cannot described to you the feeling of knowing that and the feeling of closeness I had with God in that moment.

How absolutely humbling and heartbreaking it was for me to ask myself, "How many times have I missed blessings like this?"

God gave us the ability everyday to wake up and spend our whole day consumed with the greatness of who He is.  He is a personal God who wants to shower us with love and affection.  He is an intimate God who desires us to be close and guide us through joyful lives.  Are we letting Him?