Reintegration Concerns / Reintegration Prayers

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” — Colossians 4:2

The mood of our Bible study group was changing as the ladies were anticipating the return of their husbands from year-long deployments. We had been studying Loving Your Military Man at the base chapel for seven months, and we had all grown in knowledge and understanding of ways we wanted to improve in our marriages. But what would the “new normal” look like? When the guys got home, what new challenges would be there for us to learn from? How long would the “honeymoon” last? How would the kids respond to the change in “who’s in charge?” How would we respond to the changes in schedule—and possible PCS? Each lady had her own excitements, anticipations, expectations, and concerns to deal with. So we prayed. We were watchful, knowing that there was much going on in our hearts and we wanted to be sensitive to that. . . . and we were thankful, knowing that God had carried us through this time of separation during war..

Isaiah 43:1-3a is a great “deployment verse”:

“But now, this is what the LORD says – He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Three weeks after the guys returned, we met for breakfast—kind of a homecoming celebration for our group with husbands included. Last minute changes meant that not everybody could make it, but my husband and I were hoping to meet as many of the couples as we could. We wanted to see how they were doing. Reintegrations can be a mixed blessing—and homecoming is a process.

We had a great time at the breakfast, and it was heartwarming to see couples together after such a lengthy time away. I had not known any of the husbands, so it was particularly exciting to meet the men for whom we had been faithfully praying. Hugs and well-wishes were shared as we departed, not knowing when we would meet together again. But we knew that the bonds of our time together in Bible study would stay strong—we had needed each other and depended on each other.

So I was pleased—and not totally surprised—when I received this email from one of the ladies who had attended the breakfast with her husband, after about three weeks home from deployment:

“What I could not share with you at our breakfast is that my husband and I are very happy. Prayer is the answer and leaving it up to God, because I could not change him, but HE could. If you remember I was very concerned about his drinking. The first week he was home was a non-stop drinking party. That is when I was ready to leave him, I really was. But one of my best friends told me that I needed to pray that God would take the taste for liquor out of his mouth. I prayed it over and over again, just in case The Lord did not hear me—but He heard me. I had to believe that God was going to do what He had said. Within a few days my husband was prayed for at church and told God that he would not go into another liquor store. He did say that he might drink beer and wine. But that did not last long. The next week he got a 6-pack of beer and was in his room all day drinking. He came out later mad. I thought he was drunk, but he said that he could not understand how people drink beer. He was drinking all day and was not getting the high he wanted and he felt bloated. Needless to say, that was the last of the beer. He now is on a diet to lose weight and got mad at me for bringing a bottle of wine in the house. I asked God for him to recover, and He delivers on His promises. My husband is a different man and I have fallen in love with him all over again. Feel free to share this testimony . . . God is way too good.”

God is faithful . . . .He answers prayers, in His way and in His time. This military couple has seen how He alone can move in their lives, and they know that change comes from Him. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:22-23)

We give God the glory—Praise Him from Whom ALL blessings flow!

Questions to share:

1. Are there concerns that you have when you face the excitement and expectations of reintegration?

2. Ask your spouse how you can specifically pray for them during this time—as you anticipate reintegration, as you are enjoying it, or as you are facing challenges of the “new normal.” God is faithful to answer prayers.