31 years ago today I was getting up and getting things moved to a new place. I was beginning a new life with all new adventure and situations. I was young, silly and a little too confident. I look back today at that girl who spent her wedding day moving and she is so not the woman I see in the mirror today, thankful for that!
I married my boyfriend 31 years ago today at 6pm! I can honestly say, and he would confirm this statement, that we aren't the same 2 young kids we were long ago. Marriage is not easy. Sometimes it is sad, horrible, hurtful, fun, draining, disappointing, memorable, tiresome, trying, and last but not least, a wonderful institution giving by God. If you had asked those 2 kids 31 years ago if the they knew what their future would hold, I am sure they would have stared blankly at you just hoping to get through that first week of married life!
My life is so different than I thought it would be, more blessed than I thought it would be, more cherished than I thought it would be. It is not these things by accident, it isn't these things by chance, it is through the grace and patience of God and my hubby! So many times we seemed to be working hard to destroy all we had built in our relationship. But we knew how to do one thing that saved our marriage from us.....Prayer. The only thing we knew how to do when all else failed was pray. I can't tell you how thankful I am that God gave me a man who though young and immature(its ok, he would tell you the same thing) knew that the only thing that could help was praying to our Father in heaven who can and could get us through. I am not sure if it shamed me so much that we had no choice but to go to God with all our stupid issues or what, but I do know it caused me to grow closer to my hubby and today I know that was God's plan all along. That is what it means to cleave to your husband or wife. To leave everything behind and with God work it out. It means that no matter what you are fighting about now, God is bigger and He has the answers.
I wouldn't say that Hubby has changed a lot over the past 31 years except to become stronger in Christ which is a wonderful thing, but I have changed. God has shown me how important it is that I follow this man, that I show respect to him and that I always allow him to lead me and not push against him. Yes, that is submission, and I can hear some women groaning, but it is what God wants. Prove me wrong! ha, you can't, trust me. God created me to be under the protection of my husband, and he is under the protection of God. If I try to do things without that protection, I always end up hurt or out in the cold. God made me to be Hubby's helpmeet. To work, pray, play and love him. To encourage him and comfort him. There is no higher calling! Of course I love my children and grandkids, but my highest calling is being a child of God and being a Godly wife to my husband.
SO from a wife of 31 years I have advise to any new or worn wives: Put God first, Love your husband and follow after God's word for all your needs. Lead your children to always respect your husband and be an example to them of what a Godly marriage looks like. If you do not have a Christian husband you have a bigger job because he needs to see Christ in you. You need to pray for his salvation and that God would touch his heart and help him find salvation in Christ. If he is saved, you need to support him and encourage him to love God more than he loves you. You need to respect his decisions and work. If you don't agree with him or have doubts about anything he decides to do, go to him with a loving heart and with a gracious attitude with your doubt. If you pray about what you need to say and do, God will guide your hearts and your words. Always encourage the work Hubby does for God. Whether it is teaching a Sunday School class or leading a study group. He is laying up treasures in Heaven when he does these things. He is also following God's callings for him. Never be a hinderance to his God given responsibilities. The job of being a wife and mom are mine and not his and I have tried to remember that throughout our lives.
So in summation, ha ha, sounds fancy right? I love you Hubby, for all you are, for all you are going to be and for how you make me feel. You show your love to me each and everyday by going to work and earning a living, for thinking I am the most beautiful woman you know, for thinking I look better now than I did 31 years ago (I personally think your bifocals need adjusting) and for being my soulmate, best friend and inspiration every day. You show me how to love God and how to pursue Him on a daily basis. You are intentional with your service to God and I am so glad and feel so blessed that you love God more than me. I would marry you all over again! And someday I am going to mister!!!!!
