A Soldier- Father

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
~ Psalm 119:45 (NIV)


“Has it been 22 years already?” I thought silently. I was pondering about my husband being involved in the war against Iraq in the 90’s. How fast the years had gone by. As if they were sand that slipped through our fingers.

I remembered those times. Of facing fears. Whether we would still be seeing each other. Whether he’d be coming back in one piece or not. Of worries. If he was safe. Able to eat. Able to get some rest and sleep that was hard to come by, perhaps, as him and fellow soldiers were always on high alert.  Of wondering. If they were safe as they trusted on the security from the battleship that tried to avoid scattered mines being tossed by the Arabian waters.

I remembered praying harder. For God’s protection. Comfort. Courage. Strength. Endurance. And most of all, His provision to safely bring him back, along with the other soldiers who were willing to risk their lives. And bring him back, God did. Except he was a changed man.

A soldier by career but also became a father who from past experiences, became eager to build than destroy. His heart that loved to see life despite the risk of death. Not taking things for granted. The man who learned that he needed to tackle a much bigger war than the war he was in. And that was to hold his family together, despite the adversities that he faced and still face in his home.


He is now a “father-soldier” who teaches his son to look up to the One Who heard his prayers and my prayers. The One Who comforted him during those lonely moments as his turn came to searched for mines, miles and miles up ahead to keep their battleship intact and lives protected from dangerous blasts. The One Who gave him the courage to face each day and gave him hope despite the dangers that surrounded him. The One who protected them and provided for their needs in a foreign land.

As wars continue nowadays, some died young. Well…a lot…They knew that sacrifice. And they knew that freedom was worth fighting for. May we remember our courageous soldiers in our prayers. For those who had departed. And for their families' comfort and strength. Like what Gen. Douglas McArthur said, "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."

And a lot of times, those unseen battles in their hearts are what they must fight harder against... 

7 comments:

  1. Rosel, a wonderful tribute. Blessings to you dear one.

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  2. Beautiful, precious tribute.

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  3. And the bravest soldiers are those who face the battle, going in fear, but with the full knowledge that God is their Armor... above all.

    I thank God that he came out of that battle, both winning the spiritual as well as the physical battle.

    A godly soldier father, bless him so. Amen.

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  4. Standing strong in the face of our enemy comes from knowing He's there always in our corner. Your husband sounds like a great guy....Happy Friday.

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  5. Such a nice tribute....A big thank you to your husband for his time spent protecting all of us!

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  6. What a wonderful post this is, a tribute to your soldier husband, soldier dad. How he came back from the wars a changed man, wanting to build instead of to tear down.

    It is such a fitting post for this weekend.

    I came back from our three week ministry trip early Saturday morning. I am still in Manila to spend three days with my daughter before I return back to my home city of Bacolod.

    I scrolled down to read your previous posts... all so beautiful. It's been a while since I last visited your blog place.

    Trusting all is well with you my dear kababayan...

    I am still slowly composing my blog story about my recent experience. Such a wonderful story of God's grace and breakthroughs!

    Love
    Lidia

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  7. Came back to give you some more hugs my friend......

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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