Still Small Voice

I always thought that if someone else in my family chose the medical field, I would be ECSTATIC! You know, jump up and down and all around, you put your right hand in you put your right hand out, etc.....but it didn't happen that way.
For almost a year, my husband suspected the Lord was taking us in a direction that we had no say so in. It wasn't our choice but we are wise enough to do what HE says and put aside our desires that could get us into trouble! Emotionally, it has been VERY DIFFICULT to watch what we truly sincerely believed was His will slowly fade away. It's moments like that though I am so thankful for a praying (and fasting) husband. I'm so thankful for a Holy Spirit that bears witness with us both at the same time. As many tears were shed over not going to New Jersey, there was a peace that is unexplainable. Even now, we get teary eyed thinking about not being allowed to go there, "yet".
In the meantime, hubby has retired from the Air Force and is a mere 2 semesters away from a Bachelor's Degree. He always knew he would finish those up as soon as he retired. That's where it stopped. Past that, we had no clue. No plan. No Word from our Heavenly Father. But there was also no fretting, no fear, little anxiety (and I mean LITTLE). We truly believed that if the Lord called us to stay in Altus, nowhere, Oklahoma that He would provide a way for us. In the meantime, our pastor is doing a year long theme of "faith". How appropriate! The sermons have spoken to us in a way we haven't felt in years. I honestly imagine the Lord sitting with us in our living room and just supping with us and encouraging us like a friend. Every single sermon.
So earlier this week my husband makes a proclamation. "I am going to go into nursing".
::DEAD SILENCE::.
"Ok, are you sure?".
Like, who am I to question this praying faithful man. We didn't really speak about it for a good 24 hours after that because I had a hard time digesting his news. There was no confetti, no marching band. Just a quiet presence. As I pray for him about it, the Lord reminds me, I am called to be Tom's helpmeet, NOT HIS HOLY SPIRIT. So the lip stayed shut, mostly. I wasn't feeling critical but confused. I wanted the same peace that Tom had about it, as if I had that right.
Thankfully, we sat together at lunch the other day and I felt liberty to just ask. "Why nursing baby?". Once he spoke to me, the peace came. The tears are coming. The excitement is mounting. The voice is speaking above a whisper when I share with people, "Tom has decided on nursing". The support has been overwhelming. He even shared with our pastor who was thrilled for him and I know people have already started praying.
"I get to be myself". "I cannot imagine another secular job that is so fruitful for the Lord". "I watch what you get to do and you get to be yourself. You do not have to hide your faith. You get to tell people about Jesus all the time. I will not have anyone breathing down my neck to keep my mouth quiet about the Lord. I get to minister to hurting and frightened patients. What better way to go than nursing. It's not something I want to do the same way you did but I do feel a peace about being called there".
So the journey is beginning. He has made it known publicly. The school knows and he has in his hands a degree plan and should be able to apply Spring 2010. I'm trying to be still. I'm trying to not be obnoxious or let my imagination run away with me. Tom is one of my favorite people and nursing is my favorite ministry. So the idea that we may be able to serve in that capacity together leaves me wanting to shout! And his heart. He is nothing like me. He is so patient and so loving. So soft spoken. A great teacher and a great student. From experience I know the journey is going to be trying and difficult but with all my heart, because I believe God's Word and I know Tom does too, he will do fine. He recognizes this isn't about him ...."I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengthens me"....and our favorite together is John 15:5..."without me ye can do nothing".