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Another Move, God?: 30 Encouragements to Embrace Your Life as a Military Wife

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When you think of a husband deployed into combat, a spouse called to serve God and people, long seasons of loneliness and solo parenting, a Permanent Change of Station, starting new relationships all over again, and a life that seems constantly on the move and perhaps out of control, chances are you immediately think of the life of a military wife.

But there’s another life whose journey has many parallels to these things—and that’s the biblical character of Sarah. Join author and longtime military wife Beth Runkle as she dives into the story of Sarah, offering thirty hope-filled and practical encouragements for military wives along the way.

Navigating the military lifestyle is not easy—but Jesus has His eye on those who are called to it, especially wives. Whether you face a parenting struggle, a marriage frustration, or yet another move, take heart in these encouragements as they empower you to embrace God’s peace and your unique role in His mission as a military wife.

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2024

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Beth Runkle

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_).
318 reviews91 followers
December 19, 2024
{Thank you to @netgalley and to the publisher for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.}

“Military families can be a powerful mechanism to reach the world with the message of Christ–not by the strength of the armed forces, but by the power of the gospel.”

“Stop and remind yourself: God ordained this ‘tent-dweller’ life because it is His call to you to cling to Him. You are to build as you go, but you are not building things that will perish and burn up; you are building a lifestyle that will depend daily on the Lord and be consecrated to Him–this is heavenly treasure.”

This book of 30 devotionals for military wives was a mixed bag for me. The devotional uses Abraham and Sarah and their story as a framework to talk about military life. There was of course truth and encouragement in this book, but some of the ways that Scripture was used bothered me. I felt that certain assumptions were made at times and that some of the comparisons were stretches. I was hoping for deeper theology and better exegesis.

I felt that the author of this title seemed to assume that each of the military wives she was writing to would be a new believer with very little biblical literacy, struggling with every basic thing about being a milspouse.

I could see this devotional being a helpful resource in some ways, but it just wasn’t quite what I was looking for.
Profile Image for Ashley Ashcraft.
Author 2 books11 followers
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October 22, 2024
Another Move, God? is a valuable and desperately needed resource for military spouses! Whether you’re preparing for your first move or on your fifteenth, Beth offers wisdom to encourage, inspire, and prepare you.

Each chapter provides the help we truly need (God’s Word) and Beth’s practical advice after serving as a military wife for 25 years. I’m thankful that this book is helping me learn about the Bible's historical and cultural contexts, growing my understanding of the Scriptures.

As someone who’s been leading Bible studies for several years, I also value Beth's free leader guide, which is extremely thorough and makes leading a study easy. This would be a great book to read with a group of military wives!
Profile Image for Caitriona Riding.
257 reviews14 followers
October 9, 2024
2.5⭐️

Had a lot of problems with this book. I’ll be putting up a review on my Booktube channel. But brief overview, a lot of assumptions thrown in here to make her point and I don’t do that. We don’t assume with God’s word. Also a lot of stuff she was trying to specifically say about military wasn’t specific to just military, it’s just a universal thing with Christians in general.

Was hoping for a different kind of formatting when I saw 30 encouragements, like maybe a verse to go with certain situations and hard times and then the question and prayers at the end like she did. Not trying to teach a whole Bible study to me. Going to be a pass for me sorry.
10 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2025
I enjoyed this devotional! Since the main characters are Abraham and Sarah it went perfect with my daily Bible study - I am doing the Bible Recap this year and it has been going through Genesis so obviously the story of Abraham there as well it was nice to have them parallel each day. This is a very easy to read devotional and practical for military spouses, no matter your branch. I have been through many moves and deployments/TDY etc and it has taken great faith. I met Beth in a lifegroup where I first learned how critical it is to have believers in your circle when you do face deployments or uncertainties in this military life. For me my most relateable section was page 125 she wrote “trying to control the details of life can make you weary. Control is the enemy of rest. When you think you’ve lost control, a natural tendency is to hold tighter to your facade of control. You grip harder or strive more but get nowhere. Jesus wants you to come to him and release control into His loving arms. Let go of your firm grip on control - after all, the only way to receive what God is holding out to you is to open up your hands.” Military life stretches your faith and requires you to lean on God and others. Some days you feel on top of the world and others are too heavy - this devotional is very encouraging and I highly recommend it as a gift for a military spouse in your circle. It will bless them.
1 review
October 22, 2024
At the very beginning, Beth writes "I am with you!" and you can really sense that throughout the book, that she is with you on this journey. She writes the book in meaningful daily chunks, that even a busy mom of three (like me!) can make time for. You can see God lovingly written into every page of this book.

One of the messages I really appreciate and take to heart is that the Old Testament is just as relevant today in the modern, ever-changing world as the days it was written. Beth really captures that and brings the Old Testament to life. She calls you to remember that your role of the Helper is the "life giving counterpart" of your service member.

If you've ever felt alone or lonely as a military spouse (or anyone who feels uprooted), you might never again after reading this book. It is an amazing addition to your morning quiet time with God or your women's Bible study group. Not only will you hear stories of comradery in the military spouses community, but you will see that your Heavenly Father sees YOU.

I'm not leading a study right now, but I did check out the accompanying leader's guide that Beth created. It groups together the daily readings into very reasonable "weeks" that you could walk through with your Bible study group or over coffee with friends. There are great videos and resources on the website https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/ano...
Profile Image for Katie Dale.
Author 2 books8 followers
October 20, 2024
Beth does a fantastic job of capturing bite-sized lessons in these devotionals for military wives. Throughout the book, she weaves context of Abraham and Sarah's story from the Bible into each chapter and explores fresh perspectives on what it means to be a military spouse. I'm a 15-year military wife and sincerely appreciated all Beth had to say on the topics she chose to capture. She invigorates us with an encouraging, come-alongside approach, never condescending or knowing-better-than. Like a friend in spirit, she shines the spotlight on Jesus to remind us how faithful and good he is, despite any circumstance our dutiful military lives can entail. I'm definitely recommending this book to my fellow mil wives and friends. A nightstand book to be read during deployments or stressful seasons, and even in the easy times. I loved her heart and the way she writes to serve her sisters. I'll read anything she writes, it's straightforward and relatable.
Profile Image for Ellie Kay.
1 review2 followers
October 21, 2024
One of the many challenges military wives face are frequent moves the need to start anew so frequently. I wish I had this wonderful book when I was in the middle of our 15 military moves. Beth’s practical advice, spiritual insight and upbeat point of view make this book a must read for all military families. The regular grounding of reading God’s word before each chapter provides a lifeline that the military spouse needs to take our lives one step at a time. I’m actually in the middle of a major move now and I feel that reading this book has not only invited God more proactively into my journey, but it has also given me two sisters in Beth and Sarah, to lighten my load. I’m buying this book for every military spouse I know, including three Kay women who are currently in the midst of these moves.
Profile Image for Mattrice Williamson.
1 review
November 4, 2024
As a Marine Corps spouse of 30 years and 18 moves, Another Move God? by Beth Runkle speaks to the heart of military life’s unique challenges. Beth’s journey of faith, woven through countless relocations, makes this book a powerful resource for anyone navigating the military lifestyle. Her reflections and insights provide encouragement to find purpose and see God’s hand in each new chapter.

I'm especially excited to use Another Move God? in an upcoming women’s Bible study on our military installation. Beth’s leader’s guide is a perfect companion, offering structured prompts and questions that help readers dive deeper into faith, resilience, and community. Her guidance makes it easy to facilitate meaningful discussions that will resonate with every military spouse. This book is a heartfelt, valuable addition for any group looking to grow together through life’s transitions.
1 review
October 21, 2024
This book was placed in my hands at the right moment! In the midst our own PCS this book helped ground me, remind me that my husband and I are a team blessed with the opportunity to spread Jesus’s word and lean on Him whole-heartedly. This book can be useful not only for new military wives, but also seasoned military wives. It’s reflective and full of genuine prayer. It’s also simple so you can commit to it and get right back to the chaotic PCS schedule!! Thank you Beth for understanding, supporting, loving and providing such a gift to military spouses! I am SO grateful for the leader guide you also supply free of charge at http://anothermovegod.com, I cannot wait to start a small group with this resource!!
1 review
October 22, 2024
Beth Runkle really hit a grand slam with this devotional for military wives! She does an amazing job of highlighting the parallels in the Bible, focusing on how Sarah is able to continuously replant her family's life. It is a true testament to putting your faith in the Lord and trusting him with all of your might. Reading this in the process of our 4th military move in 5 years has really helped me to embrace the military life! I think what I am most excited about after reading it, is using the FREE Leader Guide that is available so that I can study this book together with my military community. I want to also mention that even though this book is targeted at military wives, it is a great read for anyone who constantly deals with changing seasons of life.
1 review
October 14, 2024
As a military wife of 16 years, I can say that there are many challenges that I go through cyclically due to moves and deployments that I never really experienced prior to these 16 years. This book was such a help to me as I look forward to yet another move. I wish I had had this kind of insight and encouragement when we started our journey. This book greatly reminded me of the plan and purpose God has on my life and that even though the Air Force sends us, God is commissioning us. There is no better place to be than in the will of the Lord! I’m looking forward to using the leader guide to get a group of my military spouses together to go through this book when it comes available.
1 review
October 22, 2024
I’m the wife of a military man about half way through his career, and this book has been such an uplifting reminder about my role in our military life. On their own, each of the 30 days is a brief topical encouragement about the many challenges military wives face. When taken as a whole, the book is a study of the life of Sarah as she follows her husband where God leads. I appreciate the biblical perspectives and the way scripture is highlighted in all of the topics. I would absolutely recommend this to my military wife friends and am planning to lead a group of women through this book after Christmas. For anyone else interested in doing the same, there is also a great FREE leader’s guide available at anothermovegod.com
1 review
October 22, 2024
A deep well of encouragement, Beth's writing offers renewed hope for the military spouse! Beth understands firsthand the military spouse's unique lifestyle. As a current military spouse, I gleaned wisdom from Beth's applicable, daily encouragements. Her writing ministered directly to my heart as she reminded me of God's faithfulness in every season. Written to accompany the book, the Leader Guide affords military spouses the wonderful opportunity to study the book in community. Together, the Leader Guide and book serve as a valuable resource with fresh ideas to further foster community amongst military spouses!
Profile Image for Sarah Isabella.
3 reviews
September 23, 2024
Another Move, God? was hands down an amazing read. I love the way the author took the story of Sarah and explained the similarities between Sarah's life and being a wife to someone in the military. Each of the 30 encouragements are easy to read and is something that you can easily add to your day. This book should definitely be read by soon to be military wives, new military wives, and even those who have been a military wife for years

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review
1 review
October 22, 2024
This book felt like a reassuring hug, reminding me that everything will be okay and that God is in even the smallest details of our lives. It was incredibly encouraging to hear from someone who has walked the same path and was brave enough to be open about the challenges of being a military wife. I love the relation to Abraham and Sarah's story. The devotionals are thought-provoking, stretching a familiar bible story into more relatable territory. I can’t wait to read it again with my military wife life group, using the study guide to dive even deeper.
Profile Image for Kristi Woods.
Author 4 books70 followers
August 11, 2025
An exceptional resource for military wives--one I'd wish I'd had during my years as a milspouse.
As a military wife of over two decades, the author knows well the unique challenges milspouses face such as loneliness, fear, or the search for peace. Each of the 30 days includes Old Testament and/or New Testament Bible passages, a quick study and correlation of those Bible verses, reflection, and prayer. Some include practical suggestions for the journey, too. Another Move, God? could easily be used in solo quiet time or group study. Highly recommended!
1 review
October 17, 2024
Another Move, God?
Beth shares inspiring encouragements, reflections and prayer for military spouses. The book’s format is well designed for connecting real life challenges with biblical examples of God’s hand in our lives. The FREE Leader’s Guide and Verse Mapping provide enhancement tools for uniting your community of spouses. This book is invaluable for new spouses or seasoned military spouses (36 years) like me.
1 review
October 16, 2024
As a seasoned military spouse, this book has been so refreshing to my soul! Beth highlights the journey and emotions that most military wives experience over the years in such a tangible way. Having the opportunity to learn real life-experiences from the lives of Sarah and Abraham is truly inspiring. Beth offers a FREE Leader's Guide to accompany her book. The guide is the perfect complement, and it skillfully facilitates her words of encouragement for a group setting. Highly recommended!
2 reviews
October 15, 2024
This book is simple and to the point. It is a reminder that God is with us, even in this crazy military life. I have also looked at the free leader guide, and it would make a great bible study.
Profile Image for Myah Runyon.
3 reviews
April 12, 2025
Very encouraging and rich with wisdom. Short chapters packed with so many good takeaways.
1 review1 follower
October 31, 2024
I wish I had this book years ago! As a military wife for 28 years, I can say that this book speaks to the many ups and downs of the military lifestyle including deployments, marriage stressors, parenting, loneliness, and the challenges of frequent moves. I like how she goes through the story of Abraham and Sarah and relates their lives to the lives of military couples. She seamlessly weaves bible truth with practical advice to offer hope and encouragement to military wives, and her writing style makes you feel like you're talking (or hearing from) an old friend. I also discovered this free leader guide on her website that you can use to go through the book with a group.
https://www.bethrunkle.com/another-mo...
I think you'll be encouraged and refreshed by this book! You are not alone!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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