Respecting What He Does

By Jolinda Quiroz

             My son was 4 years old and my daughter one, when my husband deployed for the second time to Iraq.  Many images, news reports, and opinions about the war still flooded the television screens. With these multiple images came a flood of emotions that I had to deal with along with keeping a watchful eye on my children. Even more overwhelming was hearing the many different opinions that came from various places. Our friends and family members also felt the need to chime in as well. Desperately trying to slush through the voices gave me a chance to grow closer to God as I leaned on him for understanding and guidance.

I have always guarded what my children hear and see on TV. I am like a mother hawk when it comes to the places we go that I think may expose them to inappropriate language and other un-Godly things. Yet, I never put much thought into what they heard in regards to the war or what daddy did as a soldier. I would not have thought twice to sit with a group of mommies as they complained about the government, the military, and all the other hassles of military life. God had to show me that participating or even being around that whether by TV or friends is disrespectful.

Instead, I needed to regularly remind my children that daddy gave his word to fulfill a duty. I had to explain that he goes away on deployments or for training because that is what is required of him. My husband is a man of integrity and he enjoys serving his country. He joined when he was 19 years old because he felt inadequate for college. I am proud to say that my husband endured several deployments in his 18 year career, has earned a bachelor’s degree and genuinely has a passion for what he does. Talking down about the military or the government is like talking down about him. How can my children respect him if they do not respect what he does?

Military life can be difficult and frustrating, but I have to choose to teach my children which lens to see it through. This life teaches us that quantity of time with our soldiers can be limited, but the quality of that time does not have to be. The standard of quality can be established by what they hear around them about the military, especially what they hear from me. We will always have our opinions, and we will not always agree about government policies, but that’s the great thing about what their daddy stands for.  I love The Message translation of Philippians 4:8 which lovingly tells us to “meditate on the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” There are many lessons I can teach them through this passage, but most importantly I can teach them about respect by the words I choose to speak daily.

Jolinda Quiroz is proud to be the wife of Captain Eric Quiroz and even more proud to be mom to their son and daughter. She spends her time holding down the home front, volunteering at her children’s school and with their activities. She enjoys serving at her local church in various areas such as in the women’s ministry, children’s ministry, and in the choir. Reading is a favorite past time of hers. She also enjoys exploring the many forms of crafting but doesn’t quite consider herself a crafter. Jolinda made a risky choice to put family before career and now that her children are no longer in diapers, she has embarked on her college journey. It is tough at times for her, but not impossible. She would gladly tell any mom out there that it is definitely never too late to begin something new. Her favorite scripture of all time is Jeremiah 29:11 which reminds her of the great things God sees for her life and also what he sees for those around her.  Everyone is God’s favorite.