I know...it's been months since I last posted, and even longer since I posted consistently. Trust me, it isn't for a lack of things to write about! Hopefully that will change!! I love writing, and really do need to do it more often.
Last week, March 25th, Dustin & I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary! We were young, crazy and determined. We were (and maybe still are) risk takers, driven and determined to make the best of EVERY situation.
Coincidentally, we are also leading a study series at our church called "You and Me Forever", by Francis Chan. Once or twice a week, we have been reading through the assigned chapter, marking and highlighting key points that we wanted to discuss during our group sessions. This week, Dustin asked me a question from the book, and I cried as I sat, unable to give him an answer. He asked two simple questions...List what Jesus has done for me. And, List ways that Jesus has transformed my marriage. Pretty ironic, huh!? We just celebrated our 15th anniversary and I couldn't think of one blessing. I was brought to tears. And, again it makes my heart sick to think that in a moment when I should have so much to be thankful for, I couldn't name one thing. In 15 years, we have been blessed with the opportunity to buy, not one...but two homes. Our second home will be our "forever home". We have been blessed with good jobs and the opportunity to run our own business. We have vacationed and traveled, and been blessed with very reliable vehicles to get us where we need to go. We've been blessed with 6 amazing children, each of which have a story all their own. We've also, sold the business because of a poor economy, made bad investments, turned down vacations because it wasn't the right time for our family, and said good-bye to two babies that went to be with Jesus all too soon. Yes, we've done so much, learned so much, and experienced things that would easily tear a couple apart. But, it didn't...we held on for dear life, prayed, and at the end of the day thanked God that we still had each other.
Well, obviously, I've had some time to think and deal with some conviction. Let me just say, I was able to think of a few things for each list, but each one came with an explanation of how God had also let me down in one form or another. I was being stubborn and selfish...refusing to give credit to my Creator, the Author of Life. When, in reality...not one of the things on my lists would be nearly as awesome, or even possible without HIM!
Out of conviction and obedience, I want to share my lists with the world...so here you go.
What has Jesus done for me?
1. Died on the Cross AND rose again...He was obedient to His calling!!
2. Given me life, and good health...
3. Given me the ability to read & understand His word
4. Family
5. Desire to serve others
What has Jesus done in my marriage?
1. Blessed me with a husband who also loves Jesus.
2. Given us 6 amazing children
3. Allowed us to learn from each other and become a team.
4. Taught me to serve others with a brand new perspective
5. Gave us strength to press on when times were tiring
The list continues...and I could probably name thousands more.
Thank you Jesus, for teaching me perspective, and blessing me with the best friend a girl could ask for. If you don't know anything about Francis Chan or his devotional books...click on the link above & check out the You and Me Forever series. You won't regret it, I promise!
Last week, March 25th, Dustin & I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary! We were young, crazy and determined. We were (and maybe still are) risk takers, driven and determined to make the best of EVERY situation.
Coincidentally, we are also leading a study series at our church called "You and Me Forever", by Francis Chan. Once or twice a week, we have been reading through the assigned chapter, marking and highlighting key points that we wanted to discuss during our group sessions. This week, Dustin asked me a question from the book, and I cried as I sat, unable to give him an answer. He asked two simple questions...List what Jesus has done for me. And, List ways that Jesus has transformed my marriage. Pretty ironic, huh!? We just celebrated our 15th anniversary and I couldn't think of one blessing. I was brought to tears. And, again it makes my heart sick to think that in a moment when I should have so much to be thankful for, I couldn't name one thing. In 15 years, we have been blessed with the opportunity to buy, not one...but two homes. Our second home will be our "forever home". We have been blessed with good jobs and the opportunity to run our own business. We have vacationed and traveled, and been blessed with very reliable vehicles to get us where we need to go. We've been blessed with 6 amazing children, each of which have a story all their own. We've also, sold the business because of a poor economy, made bad investments, turned down vacations because it wasn't the right time for our family, and said good-bye to two babies that went to be with Jesus all too soon. Yes, we've done so much, learned so much, and experienced things that would easily tear a couple apart. But, it didn't...we held on for dear life, prayed, and at the end of the day thanked God that we still had each other.
Well, obviously, I've had some time to think and deal with some conviction. Let me just say, I was able to think of a few things for each list, but each one came with an explanation of how God had also let me down in one form or another. I was being stubborn and selfish...refusing to give credit to my Creator, the Author of Life. When, in reality...not one of the things on my lists would be nearly as awesome, or even possible without HIM!
Out of conviction and obedience, I want to share my lists with the world...so here you go.
What has Jesus done for me?
1. Died on the Cross AND rose again...He was obedient to His calling!!
2. Given me life, and good health...
3. Given me the ability to read & understand His word
4. Family
5. Desire to serve others
What has Jesus done in my marriage?
1. Blessed me with a husband who also loves Jesus.
2. Given us 6 amazing children
3. Allowed us to learn from each other and become a team.
4. Taught me to serve others with a brand new perspective
5. Gave us strength to press on when times were tiring
The list continues...and I could probably name thousands more.
Thank you Jesus, for teaching me perspective, and blessing me with the best friend a girl could ask for. If you don't know anything about Francis Chan or his devotional books...click on the link above & check out the You and Me Forever series. You won't regret it, I promise!