Giving Thanks

Well, four years ago today at about this time I was getting ready to walk down the aisle to marry the love of my life! What a day that was and what a four years it has been. We have experienced hard times, abundant joy, overwhelming blessing and most of all grace, grace and more grace.

Through marriage God has been able to show me the sinfulness that still remains in my heart. He has shown me my selfishness, my pride and ultimately my utter need for him and dependence on him. He has been merciful in dealing with me and gracious in providing me with the most amazing, wonderful, patient and loving husband. I couldn't be more blessed.

The other day I was just reflecting on the work that God has done in my heart through my marriage and through my husband. I realized how much I have been shaped through the character and witness of my Julian. His faith, his love for our God, his patience, his wisdom, his knowledge of Scripture have all helped me to grow in grace and to grow in my love for Christ! So this realization also challenged me. If he has such an influence on me then I also have an influence and important role in his life. My growth, my love for the Saviour, my devotion, all affect him! This is so vital to remember Christian because it also means that if I am not growing in grace or if I am not mortifying sin in my life, then this will sway him. My life can build him up, or it can be a hindrance to him.

So ask yourself, is your life causing your spouse to grow, causing them to love God more, causing them to put sin to death? Or is your life a stumbling block to them? Is your life characterized by devotion to God, grace and kind words for others, and a continual dying to yourself to serve your spouse and Christian family? Or is your life characterized by a lack of fellowship with God, a gossip and slanderous tongue, and a heart that seeks to serve itself? How you live will affect those you love! Let us live with this in mind.

For you my Julian: I am so thankful for you. I love you with all of my heart and am seeking to be a better wife to you always. You are God's greatest blessing to me, next to my salvation in Christ. Thank you for being a wonderful, loving, kind, patient and God-fearing husband. Thank you for leading our family and for seeking after God with your whole heart. I love you "way too" much. I pray that our marriage will be a reflection of Christ and his bride. I pray that our marriage will bring him much glory. For the sake of the gospel, I pray all this! I am thanking God for you and for us and for our children.