Faith, Hope, and Love

a devotional by Starlett Henderson (Happy 14th Anniversary David!)

Truth is that David had me from: “I prayed for you.” But my interest was piqued initially from “I enlisted.”

David and I have a long history. We were in the same circles since junior high. We dated in those circles, but we didn’t really know each other. That became very apparent the day I started hearing rumors that David had enlisted via the delayed entry program.

“In the Army? Can he do that?” I questioned. He was seventeen. My own young life had been shaped by family members who served. I had a deep interest through the military instruction I received in JROTC classes. To me, the military symbolized—symbolizes still —selfless service, compassion for others, a level of personal responsibility. It was a world I deeply respected. This young man was put on my heart as “the one.”

Thus my journey with the military began by writing daily letters to David at Basic Training in 1989. He came home, we dated, and he told me one day that he prayed for me, as in he asked for me from God. The gifts just kept on coming.

Soon I was a soldier myself, then an Iraqi Freedom military spouse, and now Enduring Freedom spouse. This Army wife life brings the best and worst of times. I choose to reflect on the best experiences: a greater love, a life of service, and children who have learned what it means to be dedicated and selfless.

Without our children and me, I feel David would not have made it this long, this far. Without him and his brothers—he calls them—we would not have the free living we enjoy. We’re a team. It’s hard to feel that way, especially when we’re apart as often as we are together. But we have our faith and hope—and bigger than Enduring Freedom—we have enduring love.

None of it would be possible except for my heavenly Father bringing our two loves together. His hand has carried us from that first hello through many good-byes, and he’ll deliver us to our final reunion, whenever that may be.

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT).

Prayer: Gracious God, I thank you for bestowing peace upon us. I pray for those military couples whose faith and love may feel less than enduring. I ask that you cover them and give them hope.

Starlett Henderson, an army veteran herself (Bosnia 1999), is a military lifestyle writer and Internet talk radio host for Army Wife Network. She is the wife of Maj. David Henderson, Georgia Army National Guard, Iraq 2003–2004, 2005–2006, Afghanistan 2009–2010.

*This devotion is an excerpt from Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan (forthcoming, AMG Publishers, fall 2009), which I <Jocelyn Green> co-authored with Jane Hampton Cook and John Croushorn. Preorder your copy from Amazon.com.