From in love to a Promise to In love again!!
A Testament to Faith, Fidelity, and Finding Love Through God's Grace During a Military Marriage
This is a story of the gratitude I have for God being in my life. There have been many times when I felt like giving up on my marriage. I have been with my husband for 33 years now, and I can tell you it has been bumpy along the way. My husband, now a retired Army colonel, spent most of our marriage deployed to different countries—Panama, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Afghanistan, Peru, and more. During his deployments, I was home with our three kids while also working at the same time.
I often asked myself: Why am I married to a man who is never home? Why do we have to be away from each other? Why can’t my kids have their father home? Why am I still in this relationship? Why do I feel so alone?
But in the midst of all this uncertainty, God—my Father—was with me. He comforted me every time I prayed. I felt that I didn’t need to question my life anymore. I knew this was my destiny, so that my husband could have a solid home to return to after each and every deployment.
God kept me faithful to my marriage. I always prayed—with my kids and by myself. There is no greater strength than the strength that comes from the Father.
Every now and then, I felt it wasn’t right that I was the only parent showing up without a spouse by her side. Other parents would look at me, and I imagined them thinking, Oh, poor girl, here she comes by herself again. It was not a good feeling—to be seen as if something was wrong with me.
You all know that temptation always knocks at your door, telling you, You don’t have to live like this—just leave! But I remembered the promise. When my husband and I came before the Lord, I promised that we would stay together and take care of each other until death separated us. That promise weighed heavily on me, knowing I had made it to God my Father—that no matter what, I would stay and not quit on my marriage.
Then I remembered the part of the Bible when Jesus resurrected and appeared before Peter. Jesus asked him, “Do you love me?” Peter answered yes. Jesus asked again, “Do you love me?” Peter answered again, “Yes, Lord, I love you.” And Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.” Then Jesus asked once more, “Do you love me?” Peter replied again, “Yes, my Lord, I love you,” and Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
I knew God was asking me, Claudia, do you love me? And because of that love, I was to take care of my marriage. I felt He asked me again, just as He asked Peter: Claudia, do you love me? Then do what you need to do.
When I realized this, my eyes filled with tears. I understood that it was because I love my Father that I remained in love with my husband—taking care of my family, remaining faithful, and continuing to love my Father God.
I have confidence that everything will be good as long as I remain faithful and consistent, walking in the love and peace that passes all understanding. My Father can provide everything for us as long as we love Him above all else—beyond anything our hearts could desire.
So I went from being in love, to making a promise, and to being in love again—because of God my Father.
🙏❤️
