Monday Devotion by Edie Melson

To kick off our week in honor of Veteran's Day, Edie Melson joins us to share a devotion from her new book, Fighting Fear - Winning The War At Home When Your Soldier Leaves For Battle.

Here's a little about Edie and why she wrote this book:

Saying goodbye to a loved one leaving for war is a gut-wrenching proposition. But for those left behind it’s also the start of their own battle. Edie Melson’s oldest son went straight from high school to Marine Corps boot camp to Iraq, where he served as an infantry Marine during two tours. She knows firsthand, the fear and helplessness that affect those close to a soldier at war. She also knows it’s possible to find God’s peace and conquer the fear that ambushes when least expected.

This book is a compilation of true stories of how others dealt with the fear that stalked them through their soldier’s deployments, as well as devotions designed to point the reader to the true source of strength, God.

Edie understands what it is to face adversity and come out triumphant on the other side. Her years as a wife, mother and ministry leader have given her a unique perspective to reach out to others facing the same struggles. As a full-time writer, she’s always concentrated on telling the stories of others. In this book, she continues with those stories, but also shares her own challenges and the way God gave her the strength to endure.

As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She also speaks at numerous women’s events, from conferences to retreats. You can visit her at www.EdieMelson.com or www.WinningtheWarAtHome.com.
She’s a member of multiple civic and professional organizations, including the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Blue Star Mothers, The Christian Pen, and American Christian Fiction Writers.
Married 30 years to her high school sweetheart, Kirk, they have raised three sons.



Keep Him Safe
By Edie Melson

And my God will supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:17

When our son joined the Marine Corps, I had to face every parent’s biggest fear, that one of my children might die. I knew he’d face deployment in the Middle East—that was why he’d joined—and that I couldn’t keep him safe. This was tough, because keeping him (along with my other two sons) safe had been my goal for a long time. And all things counted, I hadn’t done too bad a job of it.
But facing his deployment made me examine my belief that I’d spent the last 18 years keeping him safe. Could I really claim that? I’d given him the tools to make wise decisions, and I’d been around to prevent some mishaps, but not many. Had I truly equipped him to face what was ahead?
That night, while I wrestled with this fear, I realized my thoughts were just another attempt at control. I’d equipped . . . I’d given . . . I’d prevented. In reality, I hadn’t been the one to equip, give or prevent. God had. Oh, He’d allowed me to help on occasion, but He’d been the one who’d orchestrated events to prepare my son for life. It was a good thing, too. I had no idea where my son’s life was headed. I could make some guesses, but so far my track record wasn’t good. But God’s track record was perfect.
This verse in Philippians came immediately to mind, giving me comfort and peace. I could count on God’s promises to not only be true in my life, but also in my children’s lives.

Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home, published by Christian Devotions Ministry. Used by permission.