And in this corner

Is the amazing juggling woman.....watch her as she glides through her day juggling 15 hoops all at one time and isn't it incredible...she only drops one or two at a time at any given time ;)

Hahaha- I am a big fan of analogies and the "Amazing Juggling Woman" feels like the perfect fit for this week. I read a book, actually finished a book, last night that I can honestly say has changed my life as a wife. It is called "Redeeming Love" and was recommended to me by another Christian, military wife. I am specific in describing her because it is important to note that the book is religious fiction (it is actually labeled as romance-fiction). It completely opened my eyes to some important facts I had glazed over about marriage...real truths (from a religious point of view) that I had missed in the almost 5 years I have been married.

We military wives tend to play the part of the martyr REALLY well without ever meaning to. Most of us never want people calling with their sympathy when our husbands are on another deployment, we are incredibly self-sufficient, independent and empowered women. I would go so far as to say that many of us are "role models" to the outside world because we do what most wives don't want to think about- keep our heads held high, the house running beautifully and we seem to keep making it work while our marriages keep going strong. But we also tend to look down at "outside" wives because they don't understand and will never understand that feeling of being so completely empty without your other half, that insane feeling of loneliness at night when you are settling down before bed....you get the picture. The book really opened my eyes to my placing my husband where my God ought to be. I expect my husband to really fill up my heart when, in fact, that isn't his job as my husband. It is God's job (as I am willing and accepting) to fill my heart and for my husband to provide love and companionship.

So, here we are at the amazing juggling woman....after reading this book, meditating and praying about it, I have thrown another ring in the air. The ring to be a better, more supportive, less expecting (that my husband can provide everything) wife. I have thrown the ring in the air to provide everything I can for Connor and not gripe about being exhausted but praise because I am blessed with a fantastic and loving child. I have thrown the ring in the air to be a better military wife and not complain when the job calls my husband away because I can proudly say that my husband has a job that brings honor to our family; that he CHOOSES to serve his country and I CHOOSE to stay married and be faithful makes it impossible for me to be negative about the lifestyle we lead. I throw my ring in the air to be a better "housewife" (noted to be different from wife) that my making the decision to be a stay-at-home mom didn't mean that my job was to play with Connor and that was I got to do, but my fulltime job is running a smooth and efficient household and all it entails. I throw my ring in the air to be a more faithful child of God, to not only ask of Him in times of need and despair to hold my hand through the fires, but also to praise His name for the glorious proverbial sunshine of my life. I have thrown my ring in the air to be a better friend, sister, mother, child, wife and person because it is not only what is expected of me, but more importantly what I expect of myself and I am firmly confident that by being the amazing juggling woman who has love for others and joy in my heart I will find the peace and contentment I long to have.