Peace in the Storm of Deployment — 9/9/18

How God spoke first and the Army spoke later.
I haven’t a clue how to blog. I’m an upper 40s woman who uses her computer for the basics! But, I’ve decided to learn so I have an outlet to share and save my thoughts thru the insanity we call our lives. I’m far from computer savvy and hate the idea of being dependent on my boys for every key stroke and picture upload! They’ve got enough on their plates with new careers, weddings,college life, side jobs and school work. And, while I doubt most folks will find my ramblings anything more than journalling, I feel the need to share our story for our children and our friends. So with the guidance of my eldest son, here we go! I’m sharing all this like y’all are my therapists! Look, no charges or insurance forms! Bonus!
Last year, the day before Thanksgiving I was surfing the web late at night trying to figure out how long to cook my part of the big family dinner for over 20 of us! Rob was sound asleep beside me and the house was quiet and peaceful. As I reclined back on a stack of pillows in bed, I was half asleep. The quiet suddenly was broken with a voice that overcame the silence. As clear as having earphones that only I could hear came “Kim, Rob is being deployed and it’s going to be okay.” My heart sank then leaped then sank again. I remember wanting to question what I heard but it was so clear that I couldn’t. Funny enough, later I’d wish that I’d asked for clarification! “When, Lord? And what do you mean by okay? And, where’s he going? And what about the kids? And? And? And?” Lol!
I really wanted to wake up Rob but he was sound asleep and exhausted from a long week. I just starred at him in hopes that he’d feel my glare and open his eyes! I got up and made my way to the bathroom and picked up his watch on the bakers rack. It was 9:24. I was awake. I kept saying to myself, “you’re awake Kim. Look! You’re in the bathroom looking at a watch and seeing your awake”. Honestly, it was kinda an out of body feeling. I was so shocked!
That was the voice of God, I knew it. While we always knew there was a possibility of another deployment (already walked this road two other times), I’d heard it first hand. Oddly enough, one of my first thoughts was how honored and humbled and grateful I felt to have had the Lord audibly speak to me. Most people go their whole lives without hearing His voice so clearly. I’d heard it as clearly as the thunder and rain He created. I couldn’t say to this day whether it sounded like a man or a woman, but His words were so clear and His statement was plainly given. So, I went back to bed, praying and oddly enough I was able to sleep.
The next morning, Rob rolled over and I prepared my heart to tell him the story of what had happened the night before. Honestly, I was terrified he’d think I was nuts! I mean, it sounded nuts to me! Lol! So, I just said it. “Rob, God came to me last night and said you’re getting deployed and everything is going to be okay”. I remember he got up and turned to me. Tears were streaming from my eyes from insecurity and shock and confusion and honestly fear. I had a fear my husband would either blow me off or think I’ve finally gone off the deep end. I have to preface this with his unit was not on a list to deploy so the idea that he was, was exceptionally odd. And, if ya know my husband, he’s a facts kinda guy! Then it was his time to talk…
His response simply blew me away. His face was in shock and yet calm. He asked some questions, sure! But, not many. I guess he knew how badly I needed some validation because, after less than 3 minutes of sharing, he said “I believe you”. Wow! I think I was more shocked at his belief than the deployment news itself! Don’t get me wrong…hearing God’s voice topped it all, but realizing Rob’s faith in the Lord’s ways, made me love him even more.
We kept the secret until after Thanksgiving… Both of us knew that our families would have faith too, but we took some time to allow peace with God’s plan to come to us before asking that of those we loved. And, that kinda announcement as the turkey is being cut at the head of a perfectly set table…well, it may have taken away the moment!
So, I certainly don’t claim to be Moses! I’ve got no staff to hold over the sea or tablets to carry down from a mountain, I very well may never hear His voice again, and I don’t claim to be special, but I do find it so awesome that God is as real, as loud, as loving, as powerful, as present, as He was way back in Genesis!
I’ll share more of our walk thru this deployment soon… But, my message today is this, God still speaks…audibly!