The breaking before the becoming - B's Back in Oman

There came a time our home grew still,

When silence settled by His will.

The one I loved was called away,

For distant lands, for months and days.

The house remained, yet felt so bare,

The voice no longer filled the air.
The table held an empty chair,

A quiet proof he wasn't there.

I asked You, "Lord, why this long road?

Why place on us this heavy load?"
Why choose a path of tears and pain,

When You could spare our hearts the strain?

The little things I once passed by,

Became the things that made me cry.
The daily noise, the family ways,

The togetherness of ordinary days.

When I saw parents side by side,

A hidden ache would rise inside.
I learned how easily we forget

The gifts our hearts have lightly kept.

For love is not just grand and loud,

Or vows once spoken before a crowd.

It lives in presence, small and true,

In someone simply there with you.

And through the nights I wept alone,

You proved I never walked alone.
Each lonely prayer, each hidden tear,

You gathered close and held them near.

You gave me strength I never knew,

Enough each day to make it through.
You held our home with unseen grace,

When I could scarcely find my place.

And looking back with clearer eyes,

I see Your love in wise disguise.
You weren't just sending him away,

You were shaping us each day.

I fought the breaking, feared the pain,

And prayed You'd make us whole again.
But every seed must first be torn,

Before new life can then be born.

The clay must yield beneath the hand,

Before it fits the Potter's plan.
The gold must face refining fire,

Before it shines just as You'd desire.

The vine is pruned though branches weep,

That richer fruit its roots may keep.
So too our home was stretched apart,

To cultivate a grateful heart.

The miles that once seemed hard to bear,

Became the place You met us there.
You broke the comfort we'd embraced,

To show the gifts we'd failed to taste.

For what we called an ordinary day,

Was heaven's blessing all the way.
Then after seasons long and slow,

The answer came we longed to know.

Now every tear recalls Your name;

The waiting never was in vain.
For what I thought would break my heart,

Was where Your work chose first to start.

The breaking wasn't love withdrawn;

It was Your gentle hand upon
A family learning, day by day,

That sometimes God will lead away...

Not to destroy what He holds dear,

But draw our hearts forever near.

Unexpected Twist... Yet God's Plan Prevailed!

God has His specific way of surprising us when we least expect it. Through tears, prayers, and wavering hope, I found myself grappling with uncertainty for nearly two years. However, amidst the twists and turns, my husband and I were met with a delightful surprise: he landed a job in the same area as mine, just a short six-minute drive away. The emotions that followed were mixed, a blend of excitement, relief, overwhelming happiness, and questions about the practicalities of such a change, especially with our child preparing for university.

Reflecting on the journey leading up to this moment, I can't help but recall the challenges and uncertainties we faced. As a wife, I tirelessly applied for countless jobs in various locations, even willing to uproot our lives to other countries if it meant we could be together. Despite our efforts, doors seemed to remain closed. In those moments, I struggled to see beyond the disappointment and frustration. I found solace in my pillow during those difficult moments, wanting to shield my children from any unnecessary worry or distress. Yet, little did we know that amidst the rejections, God had a plan for us.

When we received the news of my husband's new job, the relief was indescribable. No longer would we endure the agonizing wait of 28 days between our moments together. The mere thought of being just a short drive away filled me with an overwhelming sense of joy. However, this transition also came with its challenges, as my B embarked on a job unlike any he had taken before.

Financially, the change meant adjusting to a lesser income, cutting back on expenses and reevaluating our priorities. It may not always be easy, but we have to find joy in the simple things. Seeing our 12-year-old, little B smile, it brought us immense comfort and reassurance that love and togetherness are truly priceless than anything else.

Looking back on this journey, I'm reminded of the invaluable lessons learned. The resilience, adaptability, and unwavering positivity that guided us through life's twists have strengthened us as individuals and as a couple. As we embrace the present moment, we're filled with gratitude for the opportunities it brings and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead.

As we embark on this new chapter, I'm filled with a sense of excitement for the future and gratitude for the journey that brought us here. Whatever twists life may bring, we're better equipped to handle them together, hand in hand, trusting in God's faithful plan for our lives.