marriage Archives - Page 2 of 5

A Little Pep talk… (Army Wife Network)

September 21, 2015 by Sharita

A few anniversaries ago, my husband surprised me with a small gift…

It was one of those army-wife stickers. But not just any sticker– one that said “Army Wife: Toughest Job in the Army.”

I was touched at the gesture, said a polite “Thank you?” (yes, with a question mark at the end) and put it on my car.

In my heart of hearts, I didn’t know how to react to the gift. I mean, yeah, sure, being an army wife IS a tough job about 98% of the time, but it’s not like I am getting deployed for a year at a time and carrying a ruck sack on my back on a regular basis. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Army Wife Network Tagged With: army, encouragement, marriage, pep talk

6 (Humorous) Signs that Homecoming is Coming (Army Wife Network)

August 24, 2015 by Sharita

As army wives, I would say we have two distinct moments of our army wife experience… One we loathe and one we anticipate.

The one of we dread is obviously the numerous “See-ya-later” moments with our Beloved Soldiers. Some days, as I kiss him and he walks to the door/bus/plane, I really feel like we just did this same routine like 20 minutes ago. Gross.

BUT… with the see-ya-later moments comes homecoming anticipation. And really, it doesn’t matter if he is gone for a week to the field, a month to training or a year to a desert somewhere, homecomings are always one of the “marked” army wife adventures. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Army Wife Network Tagged With: army, habits, homecoming, humor, marriage, wife

Recognize the Enemy

June 3, 2015 by Sharita

Hi friends! I am taking a quick breather from creating new material on Wednesdays as I prep for an upcoming conference and lay some foundational leadership work with a one of my local organizations. I was digging through the archives and found this post worthy of a re-share. I pray you enjoy it! Thanks for the grace.

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There are few things more awkward in this world than not recognizing someone… especially when they seem to know you so well.

We’ve all be there. We are walking through the grocery store or exploring the county fair, when suddenly, from across the way, someone waves enthusiastically and shouts our name.

We glance at them and… Nothing. “Who the heck is that?” We wonder. We respond, pseudo-confidently. “Um, oh hey… YOU…” [Read more…]

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Filed Under: God Tagged With: challenge, fight, life, marriage, recognition, spiritual warfare

Overlooked by God #WilcoWednesday

April 22, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very Godly, loving woman, my friend Bobbie.
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“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red sea.” ~Nehemiah 9:9

The poet Langston Hughes writes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” As my eyes, ears, and heart are open to people around me the sense that many feel overlooked by God comes through clearly. The affliction and struggles of this life lead some to conclude that God is not present or that He does not care. Even believers, besieged by trial and pain, may be tempted to believe that God does not see them or has overlooked them. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, marriage, military

Living with Intent #WilcoWednesday

April 15, 2015 by Sharita

“He who gathers crops in summer is prudent, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”
~Proverbs 10:5

What would compel a farmer to “sleep” during harvest time? Given serious consideration, one may be able to discover a few reasons. Sickness, depression over a recent loss, commitment to an urgent need elsewhere, or inadequate help or resources.

These reasons are serious and heartrending and don’t seem to capture the Scripture’s assessment of the one who sleeps. The person who has not made provision for crops to be brought in can be characterized as foolish, unwise, a poor steward, excessively wasteful, even contemptuous in her own plenty. Looked at another way, that sleeper is unaware, uninvolved, detached from the important matters at hand, lacking in foresight, and simply inattentive. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, intentional, marriage, military

While We Wait #WilcoWednesday

April 8, 2015 by Sharita

Last week seemed bleak and hopeless in the lives of several women and marriages I care about. Another several women I know were dealing with life-altering or threatening health issues and others with the darkness of depression.

Hope is the lifeline for women in each of these situations, but in what is our hope placed? If we are hoping for a miraculous turn-around for our marriages, or a healing that confounds the doctors, or an enlightened truth that frees us from sad feelings and dark thoughts- for many that lifeline is tenuous and unstable. It cannot be depended on.

The hope that stabilizes and cements us is founded in the unchanging, all-powerful Maker of the universe and Lover of our souls.

He declares who He is, so that we can be calm in the middle of every storm. “The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 CEB

He declares who we are, so we can know where we stand despite the hardship or storm. “God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love.” Ephesians 1:5 CEB

He declares what is coming, so we don’t get stuck believing that life and death hinge on this moment in time. “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There is far more than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians4:16-18, The Message

This week I visited with several of the ladies I referenced earlier, and I found some guarded optimism, a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, and even unbridled hope. God is at work in the lives of his children, but what do we do while we wait for the breakthrough? The answers are as varied as the obstacles we face, but we begin by redirecting our focus away from the problem and toward our loving Lord.

Consider these:

If what I’m looking at or listening to terrifies me, I close my eyes and listen to the Father’s words: Beloved, Mighty Warrior, Daughter, Chosen One…

If my husband does not show me love the way I desire – I remember the first ring I wore. Christ is my husband. Rehearse his vows to me: I love you with an everlasting love. I will never forsake you…

Replay key victories in my life, the lives of those I know, or the lives of Bible figures. David slew Goliath. Five loaves and two fish fed 5,000… Declare victory again. Write it out.

Call on your solid, praying, faith-filled friends (one, two or 10). Ecc 4:12 and James 5:13-16

Put on the whole armor of God in the morning (Ephesians 6:10-18). Check it at noon. Look again at evening.

In this world God’s daughters will face many trials, but we don’t have to let the fight consume our lives. While we wait, we must live fully each day regardless of our circumstances. While we wait for God to move the mountain – we love, laugh, serve others, give, give more, and hope. This is what God wants: Completely surrender yourself into His capable, gentle care. You know who He is. You know who you are. You know what awaits you. Get Ready to Celebrate!

So friends… what are your thoughts? Join the conversation and leave a comment. http://wp.me/p2bz2E-1ye

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Writer, Editor, Consultant, and Conference Speaker, Bobbie Simpson is a seasoned high school English teacher, women’s Bible study teacher, parent of three adult children and grandparent of three.

Married 36 years to her husband Larry, a 27 year Air Force Officer , she credits the success of her marriage to the “cord of three, which is not easily broken.” Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation that drives her passion for marriages that thrive, singleness with satisfaction, and parenting with purpose.

For the past seven years Bobbie has written and facilitated spouses’ and couples’ conferences for Spiritually Smart Family Conferences, a ministry that she and her husband founded under the auspices of Officer’s Christian Fellowship. Bobbie is ardent about the health and success of military marriages and homes.

Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, marriage, military

Keeping the Home Fire Burning (Army Wife Network)

February 23, 2015 by Sharita

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. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Army Wife Network Tagged With: humor, love, marriage, tips

When that Loving Feeling is MIA (Wives Of Faith)

February 9, 2015 by Sharita

High school was kind of a weird season of life for me.

I came from a teeny-tiny town (we are talking population 323, folks) and so our high school reflected our population. I graduated with a whopping 18 people in my class.

For the most part, I liked high school. I was involved in all things academic, a good student, did the leadership thing, and avoided anything related to sports since flying objects were mysteriously attracted to my face. (Seriously. I once split my lip open playing ping-pong. #TrueStory)

In general, I didn’t mind high school. Except for that one day a year.

I always knew it was coming. Once a year, I woke with a pit in my stomach coupled with a minuscule bulb of hope in my heart. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wives of Faith Tagged With: encouragement, faith, marriage, military, Valentine's Day

Practicing what we Preach: Grace

November 10, 2014 by Sharita

It was a typical night.

Baby girl and I had completed the day, successfully avoiding major tear-filled meltdowns (from either one of us.)

Hubs came home after his normal 12+ hours of doing army-ish things. Supper was consumed. And then the debate began.

We were both tired from the day (ok, life in general) and we started negotiating on who would give Tiny Human a bath. She was sticky all over and had somehow managed to get smashed blueberry in her hair– and stuck on her forehead.

We recently changed her nightly routine from supper, play, bath, bedtime to supper, bath, play, bedtime. It seemed to be working and I am a huge proponent of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

But Brandon agreed to give her a bath *if* he could do it right before bedtime.

Exhausted, I agreed. Anything to keep the peace, right?

Well. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Practicing What We Preach Tagged With: grace, lessons, love, marriage, parenting, Practicing What we Preach

Why We Need Ugly Moments

August 12, 2014 by Sharita

Via National Acrobat @ Flickr

It had been a long time since I cried during church.

Crying on Sunday during worship used to be kind of my thing for awhile. Shortly after I really started walking close to Jesus a few years ago, Sunday church service would all but bring me to my knees. I had always struggled with being vulnerable… after all, I was the tough farm girl that everyone called the “Rock.”

But during that season of life, I was hurting. It was in the middle of the biggest storm to date and my heart was hurting. A deployment, a terrible job, no sleep, miles from friends/family… crying in church was a regular occurrence.

Afterwards, things simmered down for awhile but soon fired back up again. Hubs was working a ton of hours with his job and I was trying to keep my eyes focused on Jesus, battling the fear that our second pregnancy would end in miscarriage like our first.

So I cried a lot in church then too. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: attitude Tagged With: grace, marriage, redemption, struggle, tears