As of this moment I have 4.5 years left in the military. I never thought in a million years I would reenlist. Convinced I would get out, I began praying early last year for wisdom and understanding into what I should do when I EAS (End of Active Service). Right after my husband and I got married, I found out I had been selected for the Commandants Retention Program, a select group of Marine’s who essentially have the ability to reenlist and negotiate with the monitor (the guy who issues orders) about where their next duty station will be. Long story short, I was able to select a position at the same duty station in Maryland, allowing my husband to keep his job and for us to stay in one area. (It also came with a sweet bonus!)

We want kids. Like now. But God’s timing isn’t our own and that is a blessing. I’ve talked to/overheard conversations about co-workers with children, specifically those with kids in school. Apparently, ipads are the new whiteboard, which I did not realize and am not a fan of. They also have shared that here in Maryland, teachers are allowing/encouraging children to choose their gender. I knew some parents were doing this, but teachers?

Maybe I’ve got this wrong and if so, please correct me. But after hearing this, I started giving some real thought into how we should raise our children. I’ve shared ideas with my husband and we both do not believe in giving children the power to choose what gender they want to be. Listen folks- God made us male and female. The decision on what gender we are was not up to us and never will be. Altering our gender to fit what we think we should be is us taking matters into our own hands, thus admitting that we don’t believe God’s plan was the right one. This a dangerous game and not one I am willing to play.

So the conversation began of what our 5 year plan is and what we will do when I (maybe) EAS again. I’ve always loved real estate and saw it as a good way to build passive income, in hopes that before I separate I am able to makeup for my military income so if I needed to stay at home with kids I could.

Plans always sound great and I really feel this is the Lord’s will for me right now. But then evil comes in and starts implementing thoughts of doubt, fear and impatience. We found a house that was a really good deal the other day but didn’t move on it because of the location. It is now under contract with someone else and I kick myself for it. I found myself sitting there this morning, totally distracted by thoughts of real estate instead of reading my Bible. I realized then that balance is a must-have if I expect this to last.

Passion is good and being motivated to pursue it is also good. But everything needs balance. The first time I sold real estate in Dallas, I had no balance and it resulted in me completely leaving the industry. I don’t want that to happen this time so I am forcing myself to have balance. Therefore, I am going to encourage you to do the same. God made everything good, but Him the greatest. Let’s stay focused on Him and putting Him first- the rest will play out.