To the one that takes my breath away.
How I often wonder what you saw in me.
This lonely college girl that had just gotten her heart ripped up, and couldn’t even think straight through a game of dominoes.
On that beautiful night, when the stars seemed to twinkle just for us, you got down on your knee and said the words we vowed never to say unless we knew that God was entwining our hearts together for all our days this side of eternity.
And as you spoke of your love, the whole enchanting world started to spin.
For you had chosen me. Not someone smarter, funnier, prettier, braver, godlier… better.
And you slipped a ring on this broken girl’s finger.
As I panicked and laughed, you didn’t turn away, but looked straight into my soul and held me strong, though you were broken too.
And that’s something I will never understand.
How God can take a broken man and a broken woman, and bring such beauty.
And through babies and losses and scuffles and deep hurts, bring about a love that keeps on multiplying, so that one no longer knows where she ends and he begins.
For sadness and seeking and desperation have poured in these past months, and sometimes I still wonder if my heart can take it.
Then I look into your eyes - hurting like mine - and I see the strength to take the next step forward, the faith to keep trusting, and a love that has grown and says you still choose me… all our days.
Me and all my soul laid bare, and the wrinkles that are forming, and the scars that are still healing.
And isn’t that just like Christ’s love!?
Not that we chose Him, but that He chose us (John 15:16)!
We come broken. We flail and fumble and learn how to lean into Him.
Through pain and heartache, and joyful times too, He brings astonishing beauty.
As He dazzles us with the dance of His unending grace and abounding love.
It takes my breath away.
I am chosen.
You are chosen.
All my love –
Thank you so much for the beauitful reminder of the sacredness of marriage and how it reflects our relationship with God. It is so good to dwell on the beauty of my husbands love for me and mine for him and marvel at how it grows stronger and then in the same breath be blown away by God’s love for us, his bride!
Oh, how true, to dwell on the beauty (not my list of unfair expectations)! :) So grateful for His love!
~Jessica
Oh, I was just praying for you when this came through. I loved the note you sent today….how you encourage me. I’m going to work on my memorizing….you tell those sweet children of yours that I am trying…it will probably take me so much longer, but God is patient with me. I have been wondering how the job search has been coming…is your husband working an interim job as He waits for what the Lord has for your family. Waiting is so hard and yet we learn so much as we wait….as I have waited these past years during these physical ups and downs, I have learned more about my husbands love and care for me than I had ever imagined. He is a man of few words so it took having to be actively caring for me to see….as women sometimes we want to talk, talk, talk….but he has shown me so much over these past 6 years. And I’m learning still. I know you are learning too….but it is hard when you have little ones who are depending on you and you don’t really have the answers yet, but you know that God knows and they trust you when you tell them that. They are such precious children. Today, I left with my husband to go do some errands and I kissed my little Derek goodbye and he looked at me and said “oh, Grandma, I love you so very much” Oh Derek, and I love you, I love you” What joy these children bring. And then some very happy news today….my middle son and daughter-in-law live in FL with two of our grandchildren and we did not think we were going to be able to go to visit as we had planned in March. The ride is too long and hard for me from Michigan and the plane tickets have been high. But my husband got some work and we found tickets for $120/one way. We only booked one way because the coming back time is Easter and everything is sky high….we will wait until we get down there and wait for a bargain or maybe we will just have to move in. They are two more children of my heart and their mommy and daddy don’t take them to church so these days are my opportunities. Florida is so far away. Anyway,, I’ve written tonight…..I just wanted to tell you that you touch my heart every day and as I pray for you and your sweet family……your words grip my heart and bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Now I’d better get going and do some memorizing….I’ve got some accountability partners. Love to you…..Jane
Jane, I’m always so, so blessed by your prayers and your words of encouragement! I love that you are working on memorizing… no matter what verse you are on, it is beautiful in God’s ears!
What a beautiful testimony of your love for each other! Our marriage has truly grown in incredible ways these past months. Although we still have no real leads as to finding a full-time pastoral position, we are so thankful for the job God has provided for my husband at a bank. It’s a temporary job, but will most likely continue until the Lord leads us on.
I pray you will have a blessed time in Florida! I’m sure you’ll hug those grandchildren tight! :)
Love, Jessica
This is beautiful – thank you so very much for sharing!
Thank you, sweet Aurie! I’m amazed at how God continues to multiply our love.