19 and Counting.....

Nope, not another reality tv show-just a declaration of how God blessed me 19 years ago with a friendship that has far exceeded my expectations and with a love that is truer and sweeter than anything Hollywood could think up. I am talking about the man I am married to. I praise God for the gift of my man's affection for me and the continual blessings I experience as his wife.

Don't get me wrong here. It is important to me that you understand that I do not and could not deserve the favor of God. Against my husband, my children and my God I sin daily. I loose my temper and I push my desires ahead of theirs. I can be selfish, choosing to serve myself before I serve them. I challenge my husband's authority over our children and over me, BUT GOD!.......Oh, how beautiful are those words!?! But God, for the sake of his Son, loves me with an eternal love and for the sake of his Son he also loves my husband. God first loved me without any action on my part-other than my rebellion. I know he will never stop loving me because of the finished work of Jesus.

I do not deserve nor have I earned the lasting love of my husband and yet I am treasured, loved and cherished beyond my wildest hopes and dreams. I would love to say that I am the center of his world- who wouldn't love to think they are someone's whole world? Thankfully, I am not. Christ is. So, when I am not being so lovely or lovable my husband still loves me. I don't worry that one day he may decide I am not worth it because I know he does not love me just for my sake. That takes a ton of weight off me! He doesn't love me for how much I weigh, how I look or dress, or because I can cook (or make him blueberry pies)....or any of the other things we read about in magazines that give us "the perfect formula" for a happy marriage.

In our marriage Mr. and I are to be Christ-like; forgiving, loving selflessly, extending grace and mercy. As I previously said, I don't always do a good job of that. That is where my husband's work is so important to me. He takes God's charge to him seriously as he leads me in righteousness, calls me to repentance and encourages me in the faith, and tells me the truth-even if it hurts. Why? Because God is most glorified when his children are satisfied in him. When I am acting unlovely it is ultimately because I am not satisfied with God has given.

We are like other marriages- we occasionally argue or have differences (menopause has not done much for me in the area of congeniality) but we don't give up on each other just like God doesn't give up on us when we disobey. Sometimes marriage is messy, and rough around the edges like this stone we found this summer on the beach.

When our hearts are stubborn and more hard than this rock we don't "fall out of love" because love is not just about how we feel. With the Father and Christ Jesus as our example we have learned that love is an intentional act of the will. Each day we choose to love each other. This is not just for our sake but also for the sake of the gospel. We believe, as Scripture teaches, that marriage is a shadow of the relationship between Christ and his bride, the Church.

There has been only one other special ingredient in our marriage- laughter.

Not our most flattering photo-Mr was laughing so hard he had tears!

All this is not one sided as neither of us are perfect (I do believe Mr. has the harder part). Ephesians 5:21 is something we try to practice: "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." I know this probably sounds archaic to many of you reading this but this is who I am. I am a Christian-by God's grace and for the glory of God. That is what motivates me. Truly, I am a work in progress.

Marriage is a gift. When rightly displayed it is beautiful and meant to be a testimony to the world. We don't always get it right and when we blow it we find forgiveness in each other and in our Father in heaven. Because God first loved us we are free to fearlessly and truly love each other with abandon. Whether God blesses us with one more day, 5 years, or decades I pray that my heart remains thankful for this gift and that the praise of his name would constantly be on my lips....while i linger.