Friday night I was blessed to spend time with a lovely couple and their precious toddler boy. Hubby and I went to school with E back in the day. :) We weren't particularly close, but he was always a nice guy with a lot on his shoulders. He still is. His wife, H (common-law as they are not yet married) is beautiful...and just as sweet as she is pretty. She is a great stay-at-home mom to their active and oh-so-polite little guy...they both just adore him.
I have to admit, a few weeks ago I was curious why they were not married, so I asked him...politely, of course. He said, "...besides it's just a piece of paper, right?" I didn't really know what to say then...but later I had the words that I wanted to share with him. Since I haven't yet felt led to share them with him (God will show me the right time) I would like to share them here.
A marriage certificate is just a piece of paper. A marriage is so much more. When I agreed to marry my wonderful husband, I was telling him that I believe his promises to me. Promises to provide for me emotionally - better than my parents did. Promises to provide me with stability and peace. Promises to love me...even when I felt unlovable. And my husband has without a doubt provided me all of these things and more - but not 100% of the time. My marriage isn't perfect - no marriage ever is. It is work - and he promised me that he was going to work on that marriage as long as we are together. A marriage is a commitment - not just a piece of paper. However, by accepting his proposal and marrying him, I promised him honor, respect, love and friendship for all of our marriage. I promised in return to give him all that he promised me. I just hope I've kept up my end of the bargain so far as well as he has. (Most days I really wonder - I occasionally tell him that he's too good to me...and there have been a few days that I wondered what I did to deserve him! :)
Thanks for letting me rant a bit there. H is active in a nearby church, but E usually works on Sundays. I doubt that they have many Christian friends that they actually hang out with, but Hubby and I want to be a good influence on them. (That's what E tells us - that we're 'good folk'.)And we want them to see that despite the very poor examples that they have seen of marriage as of yet, there are some of us out there who love being married and (almost :) all that it entails. Not necessarily that we are happy every moment of every day, but that marriage as whole is a great thing that God intended to be enjoyed.
Today has been a rough day. Some friends of mine are in a horrible situation right now that I cannot explain - and likely will not post about in the future - and they could use your prayers. This is going to be a bad situation that a lot of people are going to have to deal with for a while and it all stems from a misunderstanding. In fact, misunderstanding a child...this is all I will share - but if you will please pray for the truth to be made clear and that God's will be accomplished with peace and comfort in the meanwhile. Thank you so much, dear Prayer Warriors!
My sister (Angel's mom) is also dealing with a lot...she would love to be out on her own but cannot afford anything as it is now. She is going to school full time and Angel is having issues at school. And my sister is having issues (still) with Angel's dad and his off-the-wall accusations. He is abusing the court system in addition and my sister and niece are the ones who have to pay for that. Please lift them up in prayer as well - it is so hard to see her struggle in need of legitimate help only to not "qualify" for anything. Not to mention that since she lives with our mom and stepdad, she tells me that my parents are struggling as well. (Mom wouldn't tell me...sis keeps me informed about all the important stuff and this is the first time she has really told me how bad it is.)
In the meantime, since this is such a deliriously happy post - so sorry that I seem to be in such a bad place right now! - I am feeling pretty icky. My throat is scratchy and my head is stuffy...I'm a bit nauseated and I'm not sure if it is just my nerves or what. I'm sure that is a very likely possibility, however as this is flu season, I'm not taking chances. I'm taking lots of immune boosters and trying to keep my hands washed and/or sanitized often.
I've got a Bible study to work on today, so I'm going to see what Kay Arthur wants to teach me today. Tomorrow is the last day of this study - I think, that's when our homework runs out - so I need to be ready.
Prayer for blessings for you all...I hope you have a great week!
I have to admit, a few weeks ago I was curious why they were not married, so I asked him...politely, of course. He said, "...besides it's just a piece of paper, right?" I didn't really know what to say then...but later I had the words that I wanted to share with him. Since I haven't yet felt led to share them with him (God will show me the right time) I would like to share them here.
A marriage certificate is just a piece of paper. A marriage is so much more. When I agreed to marry my wonderful husband, I was telling him that I believe his promises to me. Promises to provide for me emotionally - better than my parents did. Promises to provide me with stability and peace. Promises to love me...even when I felt unlovable. And my husband has without a doubt provided me all of these things and more - but not 100% of the time. My marriage isn't perfect - no marriage ever is. It is work - and he promised me that he was going to work on that marriage as long as we are together. A marriage is a commitment - not just a piece of paper. However, by accepting his proposal and marrying him, I promised him honor, respect, love and friendship for all of our marriage. I promised in return to give him all that he promised me. I just hope I've kept up my end of the bargain so far as well as he has. (Most days I really wonder - I occasionally tell him that he's too good to me...and there have been a few days that I wondered what I did to deserve him! :)
Thanks for letting me rant a bit there. H is active in a nearby church, but E usually works on Sundays. I doubt that they have many Christian friends that they actually hang out with, but Hubby and I want to be a good influence on them. (That's what E tells us - that we're 'good folk'.)And we want them to see that despite the very poor examples that they have seen of marriage as of yet, there are some of us out there who love being married and (almost :) all that it entails. Not necessarily that we are happy every moment of every day, but that marriage as whole is a great thing that God intended to be enjoyed.
Today has been a rough day. Some friends of mine are in a horrible situation right now that I cannot explain - and likely will not post about in the future - and they could use your prayers. This is going to be a bad situation that a lot of people are going to have to deal with for a while and it all stems from a misunderstanding. In fact, misunderstanding a child...this is all I will share - but if you will please pray for the truth to be made clear and that God's will be accomplished with peace and comfort in the meanwhile. Thank you so much, dear Prayer Warriors!
My sister (Angel's mom) is also dealing with a lot...she would love to be out on her own but cannot afford anything as it is now. She is going to school full time and Angel is having issues at school. And my sister is having issues (still) with Angel's dad and his off-the-wall accusations. He is abusing the court system in addition and my sister and niece are the ones who have to pay for that. Please lift them up in prayer as well - it is so hard to see her struggle in need of legitimate help only to not "qualify" for anything. Not to mention that since she lives with our mom and stepdad, she tells me that my parents are struggling as well. (Mom wouldn't tell me...sis keeps me informed about all the important stuff and this is the first time she has really told me how bad it is.)
In the meantime, since this is such a deliriously happy post - so sorry that I seem to be in such a bad place right now! - I am feeling pretty icky. My throat is scratchy and my head is stuffy...I'm a bit nauseated and I'm not sure if it is just my nerves or what. I'm sure that is a very likely possibility, however as this is flu season, I'm not taking chances. I'm taking lots of immune boosters and trying to keep my hands washed and/or sanitized often.
I've got a Bible study to work on today, so I'm going to see what Kay Arthur wants to teach me today. Tomorrow is the last day of this study - I think, that's when our homework runs out - so I need to be ready.
Prayer for blessings for you all...I hope you have a great week!
UPDATE! Thanks, Beth...I really needed this beautiful astounding post! I am stuck in the 'yet'...and now that I see it, I can climb out! How wonderful is God? :) He is beyond words...
Comments
God is so good. I pray that He always leads me in my posting and that I will always be obedient.
Praying for you still and for always.
You are a blessing.