What do you think?
Rate this book
Know What You Signed Up For: How to Follow Jesus, Love People, and Live on Mission as a Military Spouse
A field guide for military spouses who did not know what they'd signed up for.
“You knew what you signed up for!” Megan B. Brown has heard that hint of condescension more times than she cares to remember. But did she? Honestly, no. She fell in love with a military man and had dreams of adventure.
In much the same way, when we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ, we really had no idea what we were “signing up for.” We were probably so overwhelmed by His love; we weren’t necessarily focused on the sacrifices that would follow.
Five moves. Ten different houses. Four children. Two deployments to combat zones. Megan has discovered that this lifestyle takes its toll. She has sacrificed jobs, communities, friendships, and personal dreams. She has comforted children who’ve cried themselves to sleep over missing their father. She has bravely stood in the gap when her husband had boots on the ground somewhere else.
In Know What You Signed Up For, Megan helps military spouses see that we’re right where we’re supposed to be—chosen for this specific time and place. We’ll find life in our roles as military spouses, mothers—or spiritual mothers. We’ll discover the passion of the gospel, the wisdom held in God’s Word, and the strengthening of His church. We’ll hear His call to be radically hospitable and unconditionally loving. Together, we’ll see what it means to follow Jesus, love people, and live on mission.
“You knew what you signed up for!” Megan B. Brown has heard that hint of condescension more times than she cares to remember. But did she? Honestly, no. She fell in love with a military man and had dreams of adventure.
In much the same way, when we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ, we really had no idea what we were “signing up for.” We were probably so overwhelmed by His love; we weren’t necessarily focused on the sacrifices that would follow.
Five moves. Ten different houses. Four children. Two deployments to combat zones. Megan has discovered that this lifestyle takes its toll. She has sacrificed jobs, communities, friendships, and personal dreams. She has comforted children who’ve cried themselves to sleep over missing their father. She has bravely stood in the gap when her husband had boots on the ground somewhere else.
In Know What You Signed Up For, Megan helps military spouses see that we’re right where we’re supposed to be—chosen for this specific time and place. We’ll find life in our roles as military spouses, mothers—or spiritual mothers. We’ll discover the passion of the gospel, the wisdom held in God’s Word, and the strengthening of His church. We’ll hear His call to be radically hospitable and unconditionally loving. Together, we’ll see what it means to follow Jesus, love people, and live on mission.
144 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2023
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 7, 2023
Whether you're a girlfriend of a service member, a retired military spouse, or anywhere between, Know What You Signed Up for is a fresh dose of encouragement. Megan vulnerably shares the challenging experiences she's faced as a military wife and how she's found hope in her circumstances through the Bible and her relationship with Jesus. In her unique and powerful voice, she explains why we can find assurance and purpose in our roles as military wives. Megan's book taught me that God intentionally placed me within the boundaries of the military for His Kingdom purposes. She tells the reader how we can partner with God to fulfill His call to love and serve our military community. This book should be handed to every new military wife as required reading to help us fulfill God's calling on our lives with hope and peace.
March 12, 2023
This little book is chock full of advice, encouragement and stories that every military spouse can relate to. It challenged my heart in so many ways, but specifically the chapter “We Signed Up to Be Part of a Local Church”. Finding a new church every time we move feels awkward and sometimes painful, but the author offers encouragement through the process. When I was engaged to my husband, people who had previously been in the military had plenty of things to say about life in the military, but nothing could have prepared me for the things I would really encounter. The author of this book is so raw and real about things she actually experienced, and I found myself nodding along in agreement because I’ve experienced similar things! I wish I would have had this book many years ago, but my hope is that every military spouse would read this book and be encouraged.
March 1, 2023
This book is filled with amazing insight into how to live out the Great Commission as part of the military community, though honestly anyone who is looking for a guide in what it looks like to live their life for Christ would benefit from reading. Megan breaks down the ministries all believers are called to - our families, the local church, and serving those around us - giving a “how to” guide that had me literally laughing out loud at points and crying at others. I often overcomplicate what it means to serve in ministry, but this book encouraged me to remember the basics of loving God and loving people and shows how to practically live that out amidst all the obstacles of being a military family.
February 14, 2023
This book is such an encouragement! Megan shares her experiences and wisdom in a way that made me feel both seen and understood, as well as challenged to use my situation for the glory of God and to not waste any more time. The section on building community was such a blessing as we are still fresh off a PCS and provided the kick in the butt I needed to stop allowing the grief from the "last thing I lost" to keep me from fully pursuing what the Lord has for me here. Highly recommend this to all military families!
March 14, 2023
This is a book I wish I had had when I first started my military spouse journey. With frank acknowledgement of the difficult and unique parts of military life along with a biblical framework for how we should approach being a military spouse, Megan does an excellent job of keeping the focus on the faith-bases “mission” of military spouses, marriage, and a bit of motherhood. The perfect book for new military spouses, salty military spouses, and those trying to understand this messy, beautiful military life.
March 3, 2023
This is a much needed book. It fills a space that can feel neglected (the military community) and addresses those issues that are more unique and yet even those not in that community will also relate. The author explores what it meant to live on mission as a Christian and as a military spouse. I highly recommend.
March 8, 2023
I love the Megan takes the time to build by starting in the first section to Follow Jesus and then by the end asking us to partner with him to grow disciples. Is this book written toward military spouses, yes but also it can be for anyone to grow in faith or just to get to know a military family better.
March 11, 2023
As a fairly new military spouse (2 years as a spouse), it has been difficult finding my place in the 3 duty stations we have already lived together. The author gives real, practical examples of how we as military families can live out the Great Commission. This book was equally encouraging and convicting! Every military spouse should read this book!
March 2, 2023
This book is exactly what my heart needed for encouragement of my faith, and leadership in women’s ministry. It’s the deep conversation with Megan that makes me feel like she is sitting with me and giving me the heart to heart hard truths.
March 27, 2023
The book I wish I had when I first started on this MilSpouse journey and the book I’ll use to minister to those I come across now.
May 15, 2024
Amazing read for all military spouses. Spoken from one heart to another.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews