a Soldier's blog

See Rock City

Those who have seen the many barns throughout the USA like this bldg, and we who live in TN might get a kick out of this picture.  Yes, even deployed Tennesseans have a sense of humor. 

Time Alone

I don't always share my spiritual life through the blog because of the lack of time, and just a general feeling of solitude with God here.  Once in a while I have a really great morning devotional time and just have to share it.  I actually meant to share this one weeks ago, but never got around to posting on it. 

"Experiencing Love:

     I realize that I don't love as much as I could or should.  I miss cues.  Sometimes I hear what a woman says but not what she means and wind up giving sage counsel to a nonproblem.  Distracted by a disturbing phone call, I left the monastery to give a talk to the inmates of the Trenton State Penitentiary and began with the outrageous greeting: 'Well, it's nice to see so many of you are here!'  And so it goes.  Frequently not in form, on top, or in control.  That is part of my poverty as a human being.  His impoverished spirit prevents the poor man from being a tyrant to himself. 

     In fact, if you asked a man who is poor in spirit to describe his prayer life, he might well answer, 'Most of the time my prayer consists in experiencing the absence of God in the hope of communion.'  He is not richly endowed with extraordinary graces and mystical experience.  Yet the experience of absence does not mean the absence of experience.  Like the Soldier in combat sneaking a look at his wife's picture tucked in his helmet, the experience of her absence does not mean at that moment the absence of an experience of her.  And somehow the poor man perceives that the goal of the spiritual life is not religious experience but union with God through love."  Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning 

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple."  Psalm 27:4

As I over-analyze my spiritual life and growth each day, I find myself missing moments here and there, missing opportunities in the 'in betweens'.  I know that God is there when I need Him and when I don't need Him (which is never, but we all know how deceiving ourselves in this area can be easy).  Some days my plan of simplicity, silence, solitude, and surrender just fizzles like that old candy that crackled and disappeared in your mouth.  Even though my heart often feels as barren as most of this land, His grace trickles in when I least expect it.  It might occur while wrangling a smile out of an extremely frustrated Soldier or while a local tears up with a caged joy that is about to burst. 

To dwell is; to remain for a while, to live as a resident, and to keep the attention directed.  Yes, it is difficult to consistently dwell in the house of the Lord, but I remind myself that this journey is one that I am not alone in.  Christ not only will go with me, but is in me as well as in others along the way.  As I focus on my union with God and not the 'religious experiences', the path becomes more clear and exciting.  Yes the obstructions are still present, and I still skin my knee here and there, but I am not alone.  I am simply and joyfully not alone.   

Back In Iraq

As you can tell from the post title, I am now back from R and R.  Iraq did not change much since I was gone at home, but it is a tad cooler.  Tiffany and I planned to not have much planned (ha), and just take it day by day.  We did have a few things to accomplish around the house and had fun tackling the tasks together.  One of the local parks nearby had never experienced the Richardson clan presence, so we went for a day hike with the dogs. 

Time spent alone with Tiffany and the dogs enabled me to recharge my batteries.  We did see many of my nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters (in laws as well) at my parents house in Bham for Labor Day.  Also, when I was in the airport (US) heading back over here, my sister Nikki had a connecting flight at the same airport.  Through Tiffany and her cell phone, Nikki found me in the airport and we had about five minutes to catch up and wish each other safe traveling (she to Far East, me to Middle East).  Each stop on the way back to Iraq I either shot an email to my wife or called her.  The Army really has improved in the last 20 years on equipping Troops to communicate better with family members.  Morale basically hinders on that factor, so I am glad proper funding goes to that mission.

It was a event-less trip back (good thing), and so far the plan is to get back into the normal groove.  My guys are all doing well except for one Soldier in my platoon.  He went home on emergency leave because his brother-in-law died suddenly.  Please keep SGT S's family in your prayers. 

As you drive on in your day, keep your head up and your glass half full.  Things could always be worse for each of us.  Remember life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we react to it (Chuck Swindoll).  Gotta run, love you all....