My husband is an infantryman.
I believe he chose this MOS because of the opportunity to serve, the thrill factor and challenge that comes with boots-on-the-ground-kicking-in-doors-and-taking-names.
Plus, he loves the color blue.
Recently, however, I have learned another interesting piece of his genetic soldier make-up.
He loves the infantry because he secretly harbors a desire to be the next Bear Grylls– you know, that super-intense guy with the TV show “Man vs. Wild?” Yeah, I am married to a wannabe-that.
Which makes family camping tricks very frustrating interesting.
My beloved infantryman insists on being the Fire Master. The moment we arrive at the campsite, he reverts back to prehistoric man, determined to make a flame with unconventional methods. Man make fire. Fire good. Ugga Uggaa.
Matches? Lighter? No way, Jack. Give him two sticks, a piece of flint, a battery and steel wool or (if he is feeling extra salty) a bar of magnesium.
He claims that this is vital survival training. I claim that it is a waste-of-time-I’m-hungry-these-burgers-aren’t-going-to-cook-themselves moment.
I have hours of stories about his fire-making shenanigans. Like the time it took him almost two hours to attempt to make a fire in a Florida swamp after a downpour.
But I will spare you. For now. (You are welcome.)
My darling husband’s desire for fire make me think about marriage– and how important it is to keep the home fires burning, even when army schedules, kids and other general life “downpours” dampen your flame.
The fact is that if we forget to continually tend our marriage fire, after awhile our sizzle will fizzle… and then we will really have a problem on our hands. (Where are my matches?!?!)
It is no state secret that a fire, both in real life and in marriage, needs some specific materials to survive.
Want to hear more about these three major ingredients (fuel, flame and oxygen) needed to keep the home fires burning? Keep reading over at Army Wife Network.
That said… Which of these “ingredients” are readily available in your marriage? Which one do you struggle with the most? We always love comments from our readers– join the conversation!
Now if you will excuse me… My husband just walked in the door, there are chicken wings in the oven and he is holding a battery and steel wool.
Burning for Him,
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” ~Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV
Linking up today with Kelly, Laura at Playdates with God, Joan’s Beauty in His Grip, Jen over at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood, and Hazel via Tell Me a Story. Be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
