Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Monday, August 4, 2008

It's a God Thing!

August 3rd marked our 17 years of marriage. However, since we can't truly reminisce without going back to the very beginning, we always acknowledge that June 24th marks an additional 7 years of togetherness! Wow! What memories--for better or for worse--but, ultimately, (by the grace of God,) for the best!

Since we've been enjoying other plans together, we chose to celebrate a little by indulging at Texas Roadhouse with Jake and Kylie. Though we truly enjoyed doing that in honor of our relationship, I was already more than satisfied by my own reminiscing and by the bits of nostalgia mentioned between us as they came to mind throughout the weekend. We couldn't help but respond to God in awe and thankfulness as we recalled where we were to where we are.

Something I hadn't thought about in years was a particular song I'd requested to be sung before our wedding ceremony called "A Woman's Prayer:"
"Lord, let me be his sunshine when the sky is dark and gray. Let me be his comfort when he has had a long, hard day. Let me be his shelter when the wind is harsh and cold. Let me be submissive when the rest on earth are bold. Let me be his pillow when he is tired and needs a rest. Let me be assuring when he faces some hard test. Let me listen softly when the world is pressing in. Let me understand when no one else can comprehend. Let me walk beside him when he needs to have a friend. Let me be something that's real in a world of pretend. Let me sing sweet music when his heart is without a song. Let me be his living joy, each moment all day long."

Well, when I'd first learned of that prayer-song, I truly desired to be all those things to this man whom I'd actually considered proposing to some time before he proposed! But, oh, to say that I fell short of every one of those desires would be an understatement! I confess I've too often been the very opposite of each prayerful plea.

However, our conversations assured that God continues to be faithfully at work in our relationship. Even in our acknowledging that neither has been all that we've wanted to be to the other, we were left with a deepening appreciation for one another and--despite our own failings--an amazement of the God-given love between us. Thank You, Lord!