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A Blessing for the Military Spouse

in Being a Woman· Change· Girl Meets Change· Giveaway· Grace· Hope· Military

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Lord, bless this military spouse whose battles are often invisible.

May she know you see her and her struggles, and that you walk in step with her. 

Bless her as she waits through every uncertainty and moves through every change.

May she not grasp for quick answers but stay curious and ready to hear from you. 

Bless her when she feels overwhelmed and under-qualified, anxious and nervous.

May she know real rest found in holding wide-eyed trust that you will not abandon her. 

Bless her when fears stalk her and failings scare her.

May she place every one of them in your capable hands and see them transformed into abundant good.

Bless her for standing, even when that means standing alone.

May she be able to sit and receive your wild love and Hopeful presence in powerful ways.

Bless her for her courage to start over again and again and again.

May she find comfort in knowing you determine her locations, not the military assignments officer.

Bless her for keeping it real, especially when that means really falling apart.

May she know you’re the safest place to bring every question, frustration and concern.

Bless her with the knowledge she is more than enough for the job required today.

May she know who she is matters and what she does makes a real difference. 

Bless her for not hiding her weaknesses from you and from safe friends.

May you give her bold, selfless community that surrounds her with the love of Jesus.

As the military lifestyle demands difficulty and discomfort, may you bless her with deep delight and profound grace.

May she have clarity and comfort in knowing Christ is capable of redeeming everything.

Bless her as she cares for babies who need tending, families who need loving, and hearts that need encouraging.

May her own heart be tended, loved, and encouraged, and may she know she is seen and held in the highest esteem.

Thank you, military spouse, for sharing in the sacrifice so we may share in the freedom. xo

MilspouseGiveaway

**The Giveaway is now closed. And as chosen by random.org, congrats to Mandy in Alaska for winning!**

If you are a spouse to a service member or veteran, you are welcome to enter this giveaway for 2 copies of Girl Meets Change, its small group companion guide, *and* a $20 Starbucks card. (Perhaps you and a friend could read through it together?) To win, comment below on where you’re currently stationed and one thing you like about your location. If your husband or wife is no longer active duty, comment on your favorite past assignment. Happy entering!

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Filed Under: Being a Woman, Change, Girl Meets Change, Giveaway, Grace, Hope, Military

« To the Veteran on Veterans Day
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Comments

  1. Melissa K. says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    Beautiful❤️
    We are at Ft Jackson, SC for a few more weeks then off to Ft Drum, NY. The best part about this 5 month duty station was seeing the hands and feet of Jesus in action during the flood! Also, so many great Southern towns to visit on long weekends.
    Thank you for the opportunity to win your book, but more importantly for sharing your heart and blessing with us!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 12, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      I love that, Melissa. What a heart you have for others.

      My husband and I went to Charleston this summer for our anniversary. We loved so much about the area, but oh my word–the food! I still dream about the shrimp and grits I had there. SO good.

      May God bless and keep you as you prepare for your next move. Much love.

      Reply
  2. Cara says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    I guess we really liked being stationed at Schriever AFB, because we stayed in Colorado Springs!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 12, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      High-five neighbor! Wonderful to see another Colorado Springs gal here. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kayla Dansby says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    I am a military spouse and we are stationed at Tinker AFB. We are fairly new here but something I like so far are the people and the warm weather! (Much warmer than Wyoming weather!)

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 12, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      Kayla!! You’re in my home state–and my favorite state. I hope Oklahoma is treating you well. Thankful for you and the job you do!

      Reply
  4. Janelle says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    Netherlands – Fall colors! best fall I’ve seen 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 12, 2015 at 3:16 pm

      I can only imagine! My husband’s aunt (whom I adore) is from the Netherlands. I would love to visit there someday.

      So thankful for you and all you do, Janelle. xo

      Reply
  5. Vicki says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    We are stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. While it is not my favorite place, I have to say the people of the community are the friendliest and most supportive people I’ve ever met.

    Reply
  6. Danica says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    We are currently stationed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME and preparing to move right after the new year to Air Force territory at Offut in NE. I love the fall leaves here in New England and being able to travel to multiple states in an hour or two.

    Reply
  7. Angela Campbell says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    My husband is AGR with the NC National Guard but is currently on his 3rd deployment overseas. The first 2 tours….Iraq. Currently….Bahrain. We aren’t stationed anywhere but I do want you to know that during this deployment, your words have given me the courage to do things in sacrifice for my family I never would’ve thought. I’ve become a Mom that stays home with her kids because they need me at this time more than ever. I gave up my career of 13 years to do this. You have taught me that Change is an amazing thing with God’s help!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:13 am

      Angela, I just want you to know you’re a gift to this world, your family, and to me. Much love!

      Reply
  8. Christel Dale says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    We are currently stationed overseas. We have been blessed with an amazing community of loving and supportive people.

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    My husband is a 31 year member of the Army Reserve in Broken Arrow, OK. I love it because this is home!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:14 am

      High-five to you, Debbie! I haven’t lived in my home state of OK in over 20 years, but for part of me it will always feel like home.

      Reply
  10. Amy says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    We just got stationed in Clearwater Beach, Fl. So, I’d have to say my favorite thing is the beautiful blue ocean! I love it!

    Reply
  11. Beth Williams says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Thank you to ALL military spouses and their families! You people make great sacrifices for the rest of us to enjoy our freedoms. You don’t always get to be with your spouses on holidays and you move often!! May God Bless you!

    Reply
  12. Jessa says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    We’re at JBER up in Alaska. Alaska was never on my list of places to visit, but the natural beauty is breathtaking! Every picture I take, I end up deleting because it doesn’t do the real view justice. We camp, fish, hike, hunt, snowshoe, bought a four-wheeler…. All things that weren’t really among my interests previously. It’s a place to embrace adventure. 🙂 Thank you, Army!

    Reply
  13. Casey says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    Hi Kristen! I heard about your blog and books through my mom! I am an army wife to an active duty soldier. We are currently stationed in Hawaii. One of the things I like best so far (we’ve only been here 7 months and I am almost 9 months pregnant) is the scenery! God’s work is just breath taking. We plan to do a lot more exploring once our little bundle arrives. 🙂
    Thanks for this giveaway! God Bless!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:17 am

      A warm wave to you, Casey! And thank your good mom for introducing us? Enjoy Hawaii, and you have my prayers for a safe, healthy delivery.

      Reply
  14. Michelle M. says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    Hi, I rarely comment,but always look forward to reading your wise words. We are currently stationed here at Ft. Carson. We are also in the middle of our fifth deployment. Absolutely LOVE Colorado Springs! Love waking up everyday and seeing the majesty of he Rocky Mountains!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:20 am

      Oh my–your fifth deployment. Girl, I applaud your good man and you for all the ways you both serve overseas and on the homefront. Much love…and many prayers. xo

      Reply
  15. Danielle says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    We’re in year 4 at Cannon AFB in New Mexico. Two related things I love about our rural location are: my five minute commute to work, and school zones being the biggest traffic problem. Plus, the people are really friendly!

    Thanks for sharing your real life struggles with all of us!

    Reply
  16. Sherry says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    My husband is a chaplain in the Canadian military and we are currently in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The best part of this posting is that it is my husband’s home town, and near both our families.

    Reply
  17. Caleigh says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    We’re at Dover AFB in Delaware. I love that we are still close enough to visit home, and it’s fairly calm and quiet here 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Reply
  18. Jill Johnston says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    This is really beautiful… Thank you. My husband is at Buckley AFB, so not too far from you! I think Colorado is very beautiful and I’m thankful to be given an opportunity to live here.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:21 am

      Waving up the road to you, Jill!

      Reply
  19. Laura says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    We are stationed at Scott AFB. It’s been a hard assignment for me and I appreciate the line in your prayer that reminds us that the Lord chooses our locations. I am thankful we can drive to see family here.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:23 am

      What a treasure you are, Laura. Much love to you as you serve at home.

      Reply
  20. Hollye says

    November 12, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    We are at Ft. Bliss, Texas- I LOVE the people! Everyone Army and locals- we’ve been blessed to find a church, Bible study, and friends who give so much to one another. ??

    Reply
  21. Holly Massie says

    November 12, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Fort Bliss, Texas. Lots of Sunshine and great Mexican food!

    Reply
  22. Phyllis says

    November 12, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    My husband retired after 20 years in the Army and now my daughter is in the Army. I think Ft. MacPherson, Georgia was my favorite. We had 3 small kids and a bunch of friends from the church we attended there. God blessed us and grew us in so many ways that assignment.

    Thank you for your encouragement. Blessings on your next move.

    Reply
  23. Laura S says

    November 12, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    We are at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs. We love it here! Great people, great weather!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Waving to you from just up the road, Laura!

      Reply
  24. Jennifer O says

    November 12, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    We’re at Lawton/Ft. Sill, OK.

    Reply
    • Jennifer O says

      November 12, 2015 at 7:10 pm

      Just cried through this a second time. I didn’t see the audio until I read about it in the comments. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        November 20, 2015 at 10:24 am

        You are SO loved, Jennifer. Thank you for all the ways you serve from home. xo

        Reply
  25. DeeAnn Stichter says

    November 12, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    We are stationed at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. I am really enjoying the beautiful scenery and most of all the history! There is so much history here to see…oh!! And the museums…there are so many and they are free!!! Loving it!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:25 am

      My husband had the audacity to be stationed at RAF Mildenhall before we met. 😉 I am a history lover, too, so I will live vicariously through all your museum visits there. Much love, DeeAnn!

      Reply
  26. Mollianne says

    November 12, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    What a treat to hear your sweet voice!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:26 am

      xoxo

      Reply
  27. Tiffany S. says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Wow! This blessed my heart so much and had me in tears. I have been struggling and your blessing spoke to my heart! We are stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington state. We love seeing Mt. Rainier on a clear sunshiny day and we love all of the trees and how green it is all year round.

    Reply
  28. Dutchess Horton says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    I met my husband while we both served in the Air Force in Korea. Shortly after we married I separated from active duty and took on the much more difficult task of military wife. As for my favorite assignment, I’d have to say Spangdahlem AB, Germany. I had the best church family and the group my husband worked with were wonderful. I loved to cook and they loved to eat – a perfect match! They all were such a blessing when after many difficulties my daughter was born and family was an ocean away. I can’t help smile even now when I think of them and the love of God they all demonstrated.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:28 am

      I tell ya, fellow military families are SUCH gifts, aren’t they? So many we encountered will always be our “framily.”

      And you completely won me over with this line: “I loved to cook and they loved to eat–a perfect match!”

      You are a GEM. xo

      Reply
  29. Mandy says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    I’m up in JBER Alaska, and I love it here. I love the mountains and the wild life and the snow and most of all, the people. This prayer made me teary as we were hoping to stay, but God is moving us to Minot in April. I just pray to find godly people I can connect with at our new station. The rest is just perks.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:29 am

      “I just pray to find godly people I can connect with at our new station. The rest is just perks.”

      Nailed it.

      So thankful for you, Mandy, and all the ways you love and serve from home. xoxo

      Reply
  30. Lisa says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    My favorite place my husband was stationed was Hawaii. How can any duty station be more amazing? It worked out to be a two year honeymoon, basically.

    Reply
  31. Jerian says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    We are stationed in Mobile, AL with the US Coast Guard. I really love how our land lady has “adopted” our family and helped us settle in as well as have us over for meals together.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 20, 2015 at 10:32 am

      I *love* hearing from a Coast Guard family member!

      And thank heavens for kind folks who adopt military families and love them so well. Much love to you, Jerian.

      Reply
  32. Laura J says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Denver, CO…as a Navy wife I love that my husband is landlocked and we have all four beautiful seasons here!

    Reply
  33. Susan P says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    My favorite assignment when my husband was on active duty was at Camp Lejeune, NC. We lived on base and it was so great having the other wives close by when the husbands were gone.

    Reply
  34. Tara Hernandez says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    Hi! We are stationed in San Diego. Believe it or not, we have been stationed here for the past 17 years. We’re originally from San Francisco. We love sunny Sad Diego. Its just beautiful all year long. Truly a blessing to stay in one location.

    Reply
  35. Dahisy Cano says

    November 13, 2015 at 12:48 am

    My husband and I are currently stationed at Fort Lewis, WA — and there is not ONE thing we do not like about the state of Washington. If we had to choose, you just cannot beat the vast opportunities to get outdoors. Be it at the beach, forest or the Puget Sound there’s always an adventure awaiting!

    Reply
  36. AJ Schroeder says

    November 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Love this! Thank you, Kristin. Currently stationed at Ft. Carson, by far my fav! My husband and I love the mountains.

    Reply
  37. Ashley V says

    November 13, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    We are currently at Columbus AFB in Mississippi. While the work hours here seem to be very long, the prospect of no deployments is a blessing, especially when young children are involved!! Thanks for the blessings (and the giveaway! What a fun book to read together as a spouses group)!

    Reply
  38. Jessica Christensen says

    November 13, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    We are currently at Ft Wainwright Alaska. I couldn’t ask for a better duty station than this one. The military and greater community are amazing. Living in colder temps causes one to have to think outside of the box to experience the true beauty of God’s creation, from the most incredible aurora borealis dancing in the winter sky to amazing ice fog at -40. Then to have almost 24 hours of sunlight in the summer to see God’s world with is breath taking.
    I am sad at the thought of having to leave here in 6 months but excited to see what the next adventure has in store for us.

    Reply
  39. Erica says

    November 13, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Kristen,

    Thank you so much for your sweet words. We are currently stationed at Fort Carson. My husband and I have loved exploring God’s creation around us here in Colorado and seeing his blessings in giving us Christian friends to fellowship with here.

    Erica F.

    Reply
  40. Crystal says

    November 14, 2015 at 2:19 am

    RAF Mildenhall, England. I like that my husband and I got to recreate my grandparents’ wedding photos at my British grandma’s home church 70 years later: http://www.crystalkupper.net/remembering-10-years-ago-and-70-too/

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 14, 2015 at 10:06 am

      Crystal, those are marvelous! And what a story! I love how you walked in the footsteps of your grandparents.

      My husband was stationed at RAF Mildenhall before we met. He loved it there.

      Thank you for commenting and for serving in your own beautiful way. xo

      Reply
  41. Katie H says

    November 14, 2015 at 3:49 am

    Currently we are in hampton roads. I love that we have found a great church family here

    Reply
  42. Sarah says

    November 14, 2015 at 11:35 am

    My husband is at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, while I’m home in Arkansas. My favorite thing about his assignment is that it’s almost over and that soon he’ll be home where he belongs!

    Reply
  43. Diana says

    November 14, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    As a military veteran spouse, I know I learned so much! It was a pleasure and the memories spent with so many will remain in my heart forever?

    Reply
  44. Janine says

    November 14, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    From Air Force wife to Air National Guard wife, the adventures with my husband continue! My favorite place was Nellis AFB, because we saw just about every iconic national park from there.

    Reply
  45. Erika says

    November 16, 2015 at 11:34 am

    My husband is in the Army Reserve, so we’re just in my hometown, though he’s often away on duty. My favorite thing about that is being near family!

    Reply
  46. Laura Venning says

    November 16, 2015 at 11:36 am

    We are currently stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. My favorite thing is hard to pin down because Alaska is simply amazing, but the scenery and outdoors exploring are among my favorites!

    Reply
  47. Kaylee says

    November 16, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    We are currently stationed in Southern CA, and I am enjoying how different it is from where we are from – MN! Being near the ocean and having such temperate weather is amazing!

    Reply
  48. Kathy Dixon says

    November 16, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    We’re stationed at Andrews AFB in Maryland and what I love about it is that it’s near my hometown so I get to be close to family and friends! Excited to see who wins!

    Reply
  49. Lenae says

    November 17, 2015 at 1:04 am

    We’re currently stationed at Fort Meade, MD. We love being so near to our nation’s Capitol and visiting the monuments there. This area is full of interesting, vibrant people!

    Reply
  50. Ginger says

    November 20, 2015 at 9:22 am

    We are stationed at Whiteman AFB, MO. So far, our favorite thing about being here is seeing four distinct seasons. 🙂 Transitioning to being a military spouse has been challenging, not to mention unexpected. I am so grateful for your words, Kristen, as they are exactly what God knew I needed for this chapter in my life. Thank you!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What I Learned in November - Chasing Blue Skies says:
    December 1, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    […] it like I did this month. The day after Veterans Day I posted a blessing for military spouses, and you can either read it or listen to me read it here. Last year I wrote a prayer for military spouses. Feel free to pin or share the blessing, prayer, […]

    Reply

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