It's Not About Comfort

All 79 Airmen came decorated in their finest uniforms. Each one had endured a long and ruthless six-week training program that deprived them of sleep and time with their families. That $250 pay raise hadn't come easily. But all of them made it through and tonight we would celebrate their success.

Undoubtedly the most handsome man there, SSgt Mark Davis graduated ALS with the highest academic award and a distinguished graduate award. As he was making his way back to his seat with trophies in hand, multiple high-ranking officials made their way toward him to shake his hand and congratulate him with Air Force coins. I couldn't have been more proud.

I sat there in my new black dress and heels admiring these hard-working, humble men and women who serve our country with such pride. There is a specific environmental dynamic at every military event. Even though they all have a variety of jobs--from pilot to doctor to administrator--and everyone has their own beliefs and interests and friends, there's an overwhelming sense of unity. I'm often blown away by military members' willingness to sacrifice so much that I wonder why they're not all just walking around crying together and patting each other on the back. No, instead, it seems like they don't even think twice. The standard is what it is. The job requires XYZ and they just do what it takes to get it done.

The Air Force's core values are to hold to integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Those are pretty intense.

Jesus Christ maintained those same values. And he asks us to follow his actions and uphold them as well. In that, I'm reminded that life is not about being comfortable. In my own life, my prayers, my decisions, my complaints, my desires all center around my comfort. I just mentioned the word "my" six times. Yes, that is a direct reflection of what I'm talking about. I mean think about it. Aren't yours? How many times have you prayed these prayers: Dear God, please bless this food to our body; Please help us get there safely; Please allow me a good nights sleep tonight; Please help me feel better...

I don't mean to discount these prayers. Our loving Savior is ecstatic when we come to him at all, and he understands our nature. My point is how often we're praying for comfort and ourselves. Our thoughts, our feelings, our prayers revolve solely around us too much of the time.

And so I'm forced to ask myself...

When is the last time I got up in the morning determined to have an attitude of servanthood? That I consciously chose to put myself aside to serve another?

When is the last time I truly set out to serve my husband? To pay close attention to his needs? To pray for him?

When is that last time I looked outside my little house with my little family and group of friends to see who out there in the world is hurting and needs... a servant?

Being a part of the U.S. Military is an honorable job. And even though I'm just an Airman's wife, I'm often reminded of how good it feels to be part of something big, something good. How much greater a feeling to be part of God's kingdom! While at any time the Armed Forces of the good ol' USA could pass away or become corrupt, there is a "something bigger" that will not.

Every time I see our service men and women gathered together like that, I'm inspired to be better. To live out the biblical command that says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." (Philippians 2:14)

We are called to live for something MUCH bigger, MUCH better. The standards are high, but anyone and everyone is welcome and able with the help of Him who calls us.

Laura Jean

Simmer Down Now!

Whew. Deep breath.

Okay. So we finally finished our move from Okinawa, our travel down to Arizona, up to Colorado, back to Arizona, and over to Las Vegas, Nevada. It took us about two months to get to a place where life is somewhat normal again... (Is life ever really normal?)

I've come to learn a few things. Life will not ever slow down. Over the past several years I kept thinking this very thought, "As soon as this part's over and things chill out a little, I'll ______." Well that never happens. In fact, it's only gotten faster! So until I'm much older and retired, I'm going to have to learn to balance it all. To say no. To prioritize. And to be aggressive in mastering time management and achieving my goals. A daunting task at times.

So where are we at? Well, we've settled (that's one of my least favorite words, by the way...) in a nice little apartment in Northwest Las Vegas. It's very sunny and although the air is dry, its a refreshing change from Okinawa's humidity. We've had a few visitors already. My parents and both of our brothers came out--with whom we had a FANTASTIC time. Miss them already.

Lil' Benjamin is growing so big! At our last doctor's appointment a few weeks ago, he came in at a whopping 13.3 pounds!



He's very strong. He stands for long periods of time while I hold his hands, and he's been doing what looks like crunches these past few weeks in effort to sit up. So cute!





He's all smiles when he's not hungry or tired, and he's beginning to make lots of giggly shrieking noises. My favorite!



I couldn't feel more blessed right now. Despite the hard work, the tiredness, the challenge to put my selfishness away, the testing of my patience... it's all totally and completely worth it. Who would have ever thought? :)

LJ

Scattered thoughts on LOVE...

Love. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m not sure many people experience the depth love has to offer. Not only does it bring butterflies and fast heart beats, but its very core brings a true calmness of the heart. The comfort of love negates the anxiety and craziness that life brings. It releases people to be who they really are, free of inhibitions and selfishness. It encourages us to give and be appreciative. It leaves us with the desire to be kind and open. It ignites tenderness and softness in our hearts. Love’s house harbors no walls, no bitterness, no insecurity. This is perfect love and it only exists in Christ.

One of my most favorite things about love is that its capacity has no limits. A great friend of mine recently posed the question, “What does it mean to put my husband before my child? Am I supposed to love my daughter less?” But this question implies that we only have so much love to give… a meter that can be emptied. Another friend of mine recently had another child. She told me that she wondered beforehand how she could possible love another child as much as she loved her first. Again, this mentality implies that our ability to love has limits.

Priority and love are two different things. Time and love are two different things. The truth is, we don’t have enough time for everything, and everyone cannot be our highest priority all the time. So we must be intentional. Intentional. We must live our lives purposefully if we want to have successful relationships, friendships, careers, lives.

Another friend of mine is trying to figure out if the man she’s with is the right one. They like each other. Sometimes. They want to love each other. They are trying. Why isn’t it falling into place? Why isn’t he pursuing her? Why doesn’t she feel safe with him? My question is: Should it really be this hard? I don’t think so. True love is passionate. It chases. It longs to give. Not every day, no. Because we are flawed. But most days, yes. We must never resign to living to please the self. That is a dangerous path that leads us further and further from love. One that leaves us alone.

But is it even realistic to live intentional, love-filled, selfless lives? If you look around the world and see all the devastated marriages, abandoned children, angry women, hurting men… one may say it is not possible. But I say it is. There’s a secret ingredient though. A key to unlocking the mystery of how it’s done.

Perfect love only exists in Christ.

No matter how badly we want to be the best mother, the best wife, the best boyfriend, or the best son, the reality is that we cannot do it alone. We simply can’t. We ARE selfish. We ARE flawed. We’d rather be chased than chase. We’d rather be served than serve. So we must learn how. And we must be intentional about doing so because it does not come naturally or happen by chance.

A friend of mine posted this on her Facebook the other day. “If you want to be loved, be lovable.”

Brilliant. I suspect Christ was lovable. In all his humility and strength, people flocked to him because he didn’t condemn or demand. He chased others no one would chase. He served others no one would serve. He never demanded to be served. Not once. He wasn’t prideful. He didn’t feel the need to prove himself or desire to shine. I can’t say the same for myself most days.

What a lesson in love we could learn by his example.