Whilst serving in the Army, I was sent on Loan Service to Oman (1997-2000). We took all our family with us when we went to Oman – that was the children’s choice – on a 2 ½ year posting.
Our elder son was 14 years old when we went out. As we got near to the end of our posting it became clear that my son would be returning to UK after completing only one year of a 2-year syllabus / coursework for his GCSE exams. The syllabus in Oman was completely different to that in Salisbury where we were returning to. It would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, for my son to catch up and try and take the GCSE exams in the UK.
This was a great concern for us, and we started to pray earnestly about the situation. In a rare burst of faith, I felt that we should not ask for a year’s extension but leave it in the Lord’s hands. This was an unusual approach and some of my fellow officers thought I was mad not to ask for an extension.
When we finally did get the news that we were to get a year’s extension, there was great celebration in our household as my son could now complete his GCSEs in Oman!
About a month later, my Omani boss confided in me that the main reason I had got an extension was that I had not asked for it! Alleluia!
*Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/@andy-barbour