Do you ever wish that life was easy? There are times I catch myself thinking that things are too hard or difficult and that I wish I had a life that was easy. But, is an easy life really a life? Is it really worth living if everything comes and goes without challenge, without adventure, without sacrifice, pain, love, growth, honor, commitment, dedication or reliance?
Brett wrote me the other day saying that there are times when he is saddened with regret for going into the Marines. He feels selfish and wishes that he would have just been happy with the easy life. My heart is broken for him- how awful that they have beat him down to feeling badly about doing such an honorable, loving and amazing feat for his God, family and country. Here I am sitting in my nice warm home, with cozy clothes, hot water for my showers, plenty of food and plenty of money to get by. Meanwhile, he is sitting in a cold barrack, lonely, hungry, defeated and burdened with guilt. I wish so badly that I could be right by his side to encourage him, build him back up and reassure him that he has a whole army of angels praying for him- friends, family and even strangers that are supporting him through prayer and through caring for Kenzie and I. I wrote him back today, pages and pages of love, encouragement and praise. I pray that God will use my words to fill his heart with assurance of his decision.
I have been researching and reading about the military life. Sure, there are things that sound less than ideal- hurry up and wait, uncertainty, moving here and there and everywhere at the drop of a hat, scrounging to make ends meet, missing him, seeing him, sending him away. But, on the other hand, there is great adventure, great experiences and great reliance on one another than comes from the military lifestyle. The facebook page for MCRD PI has the quote "There is no easy way in, that's why they send the Marines." So true- there is no easy way about this whole thing, but would easy be that exciting? Would easy remind me of the wealth of love I have for my husband? Would easy allow me to fully rely on God and grow mountains in my faith? Would easy bring my family or friends closer? Would easy really be worth living for?
I found some great quotes that I sent to Brett in my letters and now am drawing upon for my own strength:
"Anyone who fights for the future lives in it today." -Ayn Rand
"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." -Karen Kaiser Clark
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We often look so long and so regretfully at the closed door that we do not notice the one which has opened for us." -Helen Keller
"What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -Helen Keller
"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castenada
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other as if everything is a miracle." -Albert Einstein
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