I remember the conversation like it was yesterday.
My Beloved soldier and I were preparing to take the plunge into wedded bliss. Our entire courtship had essentially been long distance, which included a 12-month deployment to Iraq.
We were in the single digits until our day of nuptials. I had stars in my eyes, my heart pounded when I saw him in uniform. I was crazy about this guy and would do anything for him. It was wonderful.
Until that one conversation.
The hand-holding and sweet-nothing-whispers were briefly interrupted with by my man with these words: “I need you to promise me something…”
My heart leapt into my throat. My brain flashed to the turning points of romantic movies where “We need to talk moments” turned ugly. I gulped down my fear and braced myself for the worst.
“I need you to promise that you won’t get made at me for things the army does. Most of these things are way out of my control, so please– you can get angry and frustrated, but don’t take it out on me.”
I scoffed quietly in my head. Ha! Of course! What an easy thing to promise! How could I ever get mad at this blue-eyed, blonde-haired stud muffin soldier of mine for things he couldn’t control? Why are we even having this conversation? Let’s just get back to gazing at his baby blues…
I pledged to adhere to his wishes, thinking it was going to be a piece of cake.
I apparently was living in PretendLand.
Pop on over and keep reading at Army Wife Network to check out my coping techniques.
What tips and tricks have you picked up for coping when our plans our hijacked to not take out frustration on your spouse? Join in the conversation and leave a comment below.
Sister, it is so easy to promise to separate our “normal” marriage frustrations from our frustrations with army or civilian life when we are at the altar. But we can use these tips to do the same in our everyday moments when our plans get hijacked and we are searching for a pencil with an eraser.
“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” ~Dwight Eisenhower
Following HIS Plans,
“For I know of the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to bring you a hope and a future…” ~Jeremiah 29:11
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!
