How to Prepare for a Soldier Coming Home From War - By Donna L Young
How do you prepare to greet a Soldier Coming Home from War?
First, try to understand a soldier's heart and the driving force behind their desire to serve our nation.
Most Americans are taught that the United States Military men and women symbolize "Freedom." But I propose that our soldiers symbolize something far greater, "Love."
Recently, I asked a soldier in the United States Military the question, "Why did you join the military during a war, knowing you may have to lay down your life for another?" He said, "I don't know, there was just something in me that made me want to join." The soldier's response reminded of a verse in the Gospel of John which says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends (John 15:13 NKJV)."
The desire to lay down one's life for another and enter into battle to protect others is not a common desire. It stems from God's own heart and can been seen in the sacrifice He made on the cross. In the same way, our soldiers faithfully and sacrificially serve our country. They do so because they are motivated by God.
Therefore, our best preparation for the return of these soldiers from war, should at a minimum, include the following:
- Prayer. Take time to really pray for our soldiers. Call them by name in your prayers. Humbly ask God to help ease any pain they are feeling, emotionally, mentally or physically and to restore them to a place of peace.
- Time. Give soldiers some time to adjust back to the United States. Remember everything about stateside is different than overseas. Even a simple task of going to the local grocery store and staring at isles full of choices of food, can be overwhelming.
- Share your gratitude. Keep in mind soldiers can't miss even one day of work. Soldiers can't call in sick or complain about unsafe work conditions. They choose to take on such roll to offer you hope, protection and peace.
- Patience. Don't expect your soldier to be the same person (son or daughter, brother or sister, wife or husband) who left for war. He/she may experience insomnia, anger outbursts or anxiety. Ask yourself, "How would I be responding to this particular situation if I just fought in a war?" If you are a wife or husband, or other family member, pray for your own self as well. Ask the Lord to provide an unlimited amount of patience and loving-kindness.
- Finally, receive their gift of sacrifice for you. Just as you have to receive the Lord's gift of sacrifice to fully benefit from it, you also have to accept your son or daughter's, wife or husband's, brother or sister's gift too!
Donna L. Young graduated from Liberty Baptist University with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies and is the Author of the book "Apologies from a Repentant Christian." She is the wife of a Retired US Navy Seabee and currently a volunteer to aid military families in crisis. To learn more about Donna L. Young please visit: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_L_Young Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6505037
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