As spring thunderstorms begin to give way to summer heat and schools are finally out, we kick-off the beloved barefoot season with Memorial Day. More than a Monday off work with no mail delivery, this is a day to honor the men and women who have so bravely fought and sacrificed to serve our country.
I am especially proud of the women I know who have or are currently serving in the military—a career path more commonly chosen by men. A recent report cited only 14% of the military being female, and the branch with the highest percentage of ladies serving is the Air Force.
My friend, Beth Dempsey, knows firsthand what it’s like to serve in the Air Force as a female. Beth was a young adult, living in California and driving down the freeway, when in a moment of frustration she asked God, “what in the world do you want me to do with my life?” In a recent conversation, she recalled to me in detail, that as clear as day she knew the Lord said, “Air Force.” When she got home, she called her mom, began to research and knew without a doubt the Air Force was where she needed to go.
Beth explained to me the (seemingly random) process she used to decide what area within the Air Force she would pursue. She said she chose to go where she scored lowest on the ASVAB placement test, figuring it was the area she needed to learn the most. In God’s sovereign way, that area just happened to be working with technology, the very area that decades later she works with on a daily basis at Council Road, in her job on the Worship Arts staff.
Beth spoke so highly of her time in the Air Force, all that she learned and all that she experienced. She met her husband there, became a step-mom to two of her two daughters, and became an Okie after being transferred to Tinker. Her service is a time she looks back on fondly and with no regrets. She was treated fairly, with respect and grew in skill and confidence.
As Beth and I chatted, one theme continued to surface: lifelong learning. Whether it’s working with technology new to her, stepping bravely into a new season of single-parenting or pursuing real estate in her 50s, Beth reminds me that we are never too young to reach for our goals and never too old to learn something new.
My friend, Beth, inspires me in the way she lives her life, loves her people and loves God. I think you will be encouraged by our entire conversation.
Click the link below to listen to the podcast episode:
On Memorial Day, remember to let our military heroes know how thankful you are for them… and go out and learn something new this summer!
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!