How Do You Do it?

Over the past months, a question I have commonly heard is "How do you do it?" That's a tough question to answer. If you asked me why I do it, the answer comes easily. I do it because I love my husband. I want my husband to be happy and I cannot imagine him in any other profession. Separations and deployments are part of the Army package and so I do it because I have to.

But how do I do it? Whenever I am asked that question, I feel like I stumble around. Tonight I heard a song that seemed to nicely wrap up my thoughts on the matter.


"I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait"

(John Waller, While I'm Waiting)


How do I do it? I think the reality is I don't do it. By myself- on my own- I wouldn't be able to do it. No, I am able to do it because I am constantly waiting on the Lord to lead me. He has given me the strength, the wisdom, the confidence, and the perserverance. He has shown me that despite all, I can have joy, hope, and peace when I sit at His feet. While I wait, both for Drew's return and the Lord's leading, I keep myself going by serving Him where He has placed me- with our girls, in our church and in our community. And throughout it, I find that the best days are not those that have been free of stress or troubles, but those that are filled with my obedience and worship of Him.

Does that mean I have skated through this deployment, without a sense of loss or despair? Does that mean I have handled every situation beautifully? Absolutely NOT! No while I serve a perfect God, I am not perfect. I have plowed ahead on my own strength and knowledge; I have ignored; I have refused to wait any longer. With each of those, I have struggled until I turned back and once again sat at His feet, waiting for His guidance and direction.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?

When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 
Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!

Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:1-9, 14