Connecting During DeploymentSample

Introduction

Is it possible to read the Bible together during deployment? 

Just ask Louise. Married just two days before Eugene left for Europe with the Army in World War II, then separated for three and a half years, Louise and Eugene’s letters were filled with a little bit of news, loving encouragement, and comments on the book of Ephesians. Louise, serving as an Army mail clerk in Papua, New Guinea, told us in an interview that she credits this deep scriptural connection and commitment they had to each other for keeping them close, even though continents and years apart. Reunited after the war ended in 1945, they went on to enjoy 58 years of marriage before Eugene died in 2000.

Use these twenty devotions to help you study and stay connected during the geographic separation of deployment. Connect in whatever way is available—phone, text, email, video phone calls, etc. 

Louise and Eugene can testify to the truth of Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Greater Grace

No doubt God’s grace is seeing you through this deployment—grace to face new challenges, grace to withstand things that used to drive you crazy, grace to understand an eternal perspective, grace to help others, and even grace to accept help when needed.

But what about grace to face multiple deployments? Perhaps your marriage survived the first deployment . . . barely. Then with the second deployment, you were more prepared than the first and took additional steps to improve your communications and commitment. The third deployment came sooner than you expected and more frustration set in. Now you’re on what seems to be a never-ending course for more and more separation, loneliness, hard work under harsh conditions, and danger. What kind of grace will get you through those coming struggles? Let’s call it greater grace. Greater grace takes you from “I can’t do this anymore” to “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Do you need that greater grace? It really is a matter of trust in God—that He loves us and will give us the grace to endure. But it won’t come until we need it. 

The story of Corrie ten Boom, a World War II concentration camp survivor, is powerful in many ways. A key part of her story involves Corrie’s father’s instruction that God only gives grace when it is needed. For example, he would only give train tickets to his children right before they boarded because they didn’t need the tickets sooner. 

There is grace for that moment, for that hour, for that trial, for that deployment . . . if we will trust God for what He promises. As Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

1. Thinking you need to use today’s limited strength to fight tomorrow’s battles is a prescription for fear and discouragement. What can you trust God for today?

2. Reflect how God got you through past deployments. How can you trust Him to get you through future deployments?

Grace is important not only as individuals but also for our marriage relationship. Read “4 Tips for Giving Grace in Your Marriage.”