A PIECE OF MY HEART...take courage and fear not!

A PIECE OF MY HEART

1 CHRONICLES 22:19 "Now determine in your mind and HEART to seek the Lord your God."



TAKE COURAGE and FEAR NOT!
I already had something written that I wanted to share with you today, but God seems to be changing my direction. Look for "LABEL READER", my original post planned for today, at a later date.

I was awoken in the night, with a deep burden on my heart and all day today I have not been able to shake this feeling of great heaviness. A heaviness that griefs my spirit to weeping. Have you ever experienced such a heaviness, a heaviness that you are not sure exactly what the cause is but you know you need to pray and intercede?

I was awoken out of my sleep last night, from a dream where I found myself at the airport. There were several military soldiers there. They were all dressed in their fatigues and slung over their shoulders were their duffle bags. The soldiers were standing on one side of a guard rail and on the other side of the rail stood their loved ones. There were young men reaching over the rail, holding tightly to their young brides. A Mother reached over to kiss her young child, possibly for the last time. A Mother and Father, with arms interlocked, praying over their son.

What I observed was the bravery not only from the soldiers leaving to go overseas for an extended time, but the bravery of the ones they were leaving behind. Tears were shed, laughter could be heard, and well wishes from everyone. It was the bravery I witnessed in my dream that stirred my heart. Once the soldiers were out of sight, I witnessed the heartache in the faces of the Mothers and Fathers. I saw the fear in the Wife standing there holding the hand of her 2 year old son. I shed a tear as I watched a young daughter waving and throwing kisses to her Daddy even after he was out of sight.

BRAVERY. Oh yes, those of us left behind are fighting a fight of bravery as well.

I then woke up from my dream. But my heart is breaking today, maybe it is the anticipation of my own son leaving for overseas in just a few months, I want to be brave on that day I see him off. My heart is griefed today as I think of the many other women who are left behind to carry on the bravery in their hearts and their homes. I prayed a special prayer for you today, I don't even know who you are but I prayed that God would calm your fear and that you would know that you are not alone.

I have a new blogging friend that is doing a great ministry as she reaches out to military families, in particular military wives. She is married to a military chaplain and has created a prayer support group for military families. I encourage you, if you have a loved one in the military, whether overseas or here in the states, that you check out her prayer group and join us as we intercede for one another. You are not alone...click here for more info!

ISAIAH 35:4
"Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear!' Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come, and save you."

Be strong and be brave my dear! God is with you always.


and that's a piece of my heart today,


Blessings, Laurie