I didn’t plan to be a military wife.

Really, it wasn’t on my bucket list.

But what do you do when the man you love, says, “Did I tell you I want to go in the military?” Wide-eyed with surprise, I had no idea what life in the military would involve.

Hi, I’m Ginger Harrington, social media coordinator for Planting Roots, and military life has been so much better than I could have ever imagined. Our lives have been rich with the colors and textures of a wealth of experiences and friendships over the years. We have lived amazing places and ordinary places. Though I have loved being a military wife, there have been hard transitions and challenges along the way.

In each place, I have discovered anew that home is more than an address, and stability doesn’t come solely from my circumstances. Over time, God has been teaching me to make the most of this military life.

Dwell.

Every military gal knows these familiar words, “Bloom where you’re planted.” Beneath the glib cliché, is a call to make the most of life as it is.

Right here.

Right now.

Today, we can choose to live, really live, where God has placed us, trusting God and planting roots in faith.

How many times have we wished away today for some future condition? Life will be better when ______. We’ve all wrestled with this temptation to be discontent with today, waiting for something better tomorrow.

Dwell in the land. This season of life., this duty station, this challenge.

• Dwelling in the land has everything to do with living life full right where we are.
• Dwelling in this moment means we don’t look back with regret.
• Dwelling in our now frees us to look forward to the future but invest fully in today.

Dig for the blessings buried beneath the soil of your present circumstances. Together we can plant our roots in Christ and grow in faith.

Cultivate faithfulness.

Planting roots grows faithfulness. Nurture faith by feeding on God’s word and building relationships with His people. When you don’t know what to do next, grow faithfulness, sinking your roots deep into God’s Word.  Investing in faith and community is never the wrong choice, providing stability wherever the military sends us.

Commit your way to God.

What does it mean to commit your way to God? How does this help us make the most of this military life?  In reality, our way is our life journey, and it includes our direction, manner, course of life, and moral character. Needless to say, our way covers a lot of personal territory.

All your ways.

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Is your personality extroverted or introverted, or somewhere in between? Are you a list maker or a “go where the wind takes me” kind of person? Do you struggle to curb your tongue, complete tasks, or keep your house clean? Have you committed these things to God?

Whether your journey has been smooth or filled with bumps in the road and unexpected turns, commit your way to the Lord.

Trust Him with the whole journey.

Say it out loud and write it down. “Lord, my way, my journey, and my life is Yours. I commit my way to you and I trust you with my life.”

• Military life
• Family
• Relationships
• Personality
• Vocation and education
• Experiences
• Gifts and Talents
• Ministry
• Dreams and goals

Right in the middle of who we are and what we are doing, this is where God wants to be.<Tweet.  Roll your cares, questions, and concerns onto Him. Place in His capable hands your hopes and dreams, the desires of your heart. Make the most of  this military life as you commit your way to the Lord.<Tweet.

Go all in.

Don’t hold back. Plant your roots in Christ and commit your way to the Lord. Trust Him with the results.

He will do it.

The burden of proof is on Him.

How are you planting roots today? Leave a comment and share your thoughts! We’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to read more from Psalm 37, you can check out my How to Make the Most of Each Day series..