Dear ________,
Marriage is a beautiful thing. Please don't be fooled by the way society portrays it. All men are not lazy, weak, or incompetent. There are a few left who are in fact quite genuinely chivalrous, but most importantly they love Jesus. Don't be taken by shallow desires (car colors). Take your time and learn him. Let him learn you. Then you'll learn to love, or you'll learn you actually don't love. I'm going to stop there about all that though. I'm praying you'll let God lead you when that day comes. Society really does make marriage look blah. They make it appear like it's a chore, a burden. They also make it seem temporary. Marriage is none of these things. At least, it shouldn't be, and it certainly doesn't have to be. Yellow car boy and I just got home from a weekend of togetherness. It was nothing extravagant. It was actually quite simple, and it was wonderful. We had a few things to accomplish after being away. One of those was grocerying. He volunteered to make that trek. While he was away, I of course made a slightly unhealthy request. I wanted some baked sour cream and onion chips (at least they're baked). He returns and valiantly delivers them. I call his name as he is grilling, and he calls back. I reply that I had it under control. He asked what my concern was, and I said I had accidentally almost eaten the entire bag, but it was ok because I finally moved them away. He just laughed. Never did I know marriage could be that simply enjoyable. He found great delight in my dilemma, and I found humor that I found my dilemma humorous. You'll want things to be extravagant. Everyone is posting this, that, and the other on Social Media. You'll watch fairy tales, and they'll give you false hope. I hope you always model what you desire in a husband after yellow car boy. He's pretty spectacular. And I hope you see marriage as the beautiful thing God designed it to be. I hope you see it as a covenant. It's not temporary- at all. So don't choose hastily or unwisely. Most of all, I hope you find great delight in car hunting, house shopping (we are thorough decision makers, so we have to be the most annoying car/house hunters) , and conversations over sour cream and potato chips. These are the moments I'll forever cherish. These are the moments that make me glad I looked past the yellow car. These are the moments I'm reminded how wonderful marriage is. I hope you get to experience such fun as this! Love, Yellow car boy's wife, your momma (Lord willing I take on that title one day), or person writing this blog
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" "Doctor, we have nothing. We can never pay-" "Mother!" "Yes, Frankie?" "The Doctor knows we haven't any money. But I have this. I want him to take it." Into the doctor's hands, so deft in the operating room, but awkward and fumbling now, the boy thrust his precious one-eyes teddy bear... There is a glass cabinet on a table in the private office of Dr. Fred J. Adams, famous surgeon, and in it in solitary state you may see that battered old teddy bear today, and under it this typed label: "From my friend Frankie: the biggest fee I ever received." " https://books.google.com/books?id=cEEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=little+boy+mom+doctor+gives+teddy+bear+all+he+has&source=bl&ots=eUoyXrMUyn&sig=mG8F4hKVSL9b_URtcb2aZXOiAGY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjv-vGmlvHKAhXCdD4KHW8rDm8Q6AEIJjAC#v=onepage&q&f=false My grandmother shared this sweet story with me, and tears quickly came to my eyes. How wonderful for someone to give something that meant so much, but to many it may have seemed like so little. I couldn't help but think of Jesus and the cross. In adulthood we face many challenges If I'm being honest, a lot of those are financial. I'll be the first to admit I worry about finances. I don't want to do the wrong thing when it comes to money. After all, it's money. I often sit back and wonder what it would be like to have someone just swoop in and say here's a house, a car,savings, and a college fund for those children (one day) of yours. While that may never happen, Someone did swoop in and pay a fee, and it was a big one. There's no way I'd ever be able to pay this fee. There could not be enough hours worked. There could not be enough things sacrificed. I simply could not earn the wages for this fee, and bankruptcy isn't an option. Jesus Christ, with His own blood, paid my fee. He loved me enough to come to this earth in human form so that WHOSEVER (that's you, that's me) could partake of his payment. The Bible clearly tells us our righteousness is as filthy rags and there is not one good. Praise God I don't have to earn my way to Heaven. Praise God the price has been paid. Praise God He loved me as I was and adopted me into His family. Praise God. This little boy, who gave his teddy bear, valued it so much, and he so willingly gave it up to pay a price. This doctor had helped him, and he valued that service. I admire his willingness. I admire that open hand. I felt quite convicted as I considered my giving. How often I put God on the back burner, especially in area of time. God's eternal, right? He'll be there when I get time. Well of course He will, but what kind of relationship is that? As the Easter (resurrection) season approaches,I can't help but think of all that Jesus gave. Let us remember His sacrifice, His blood, His grace, His mercy, and His precious love. God, help me to be willing to give my all for You. What I have to offer will never measure up, and praise You that You know it won't but You love me anyway. May I remember it is the heart behind it all. God, I pray I'll be Your hands and feet however You so will. Thank You for loving me through it all. In Jesus Name, Amen. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
I think that may be one of the biggest false statements ever made. Words are incredibly powerful. In the education field, this proves to be quite true. I have watched students' faces, bodies, and attitudes perk up and fall down by simple words. I have watched teachers become empowered and defeated by simple words. I have watched lives be changed and decisions made simply by simple words. Words are just that. They're simple, but they also contain a tremendous power. I don't remember exactly what day, or where I was, but I remember reading this verse and going WOW. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3) I stared at my Bible, and then I held it a little closer. The precious Word of God I was holding contained what God framed the world with. I'm always amazed at how the Word of God has been preserved over time. God chose words to speak this world into existence. He gave us His words to teach us about Him. Clearly His words are more powerful than ours (that goes without saying, right?), but we can see the power in them. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (James 3:5) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. (Proverbs 15: 14) Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever had a bad day, and you exploded on someone who didn't deserve it? We may apologize later, but I think we negate the lasting impact of our words. I think of times someone has taken their day out on me, and I always walk way thinking it was just unnecessary, and then like the sob I am, my feelings get hurt. I hate having my feelings hurt. Maybe that's why I'm in Elementary education? Today I was given two phrases of wisdom about students believing they're smart when their teacher thinks they're smart and how people who need love the most ask for it in the most difficult ways. In times of difficulty (and in not difficult times) I turn to God's Word, and He often gives me comfort. What would it be like if I went to Him, and He gave me words of discouragement? A harsh answer? Rejection? (Pause. This life is not all peanut butter and chocolate candy with a side of gravy and biscuit. Sometimes life is hard. God never said it would be perfect. He never said He wouldn't chastise us, He actually said if He does, He loves us. But I hope you understand my point. Unpause.) I'm certain there are more times than not that I am difficult to love, but He loves me anyway. The reason I make it through most days is because of the hope God has given me in Him! It's so easy to tell someone exactly what is on our mind or heart in the heat of the moment, but I think we need to be cautious. If I never build my students up, of course they'll never succeed. They would likely have no hope that they can. If I respond in a hateful way to someone who is difficult to love, but they need love, they may never love, because it is likely they never see love. Dear Christian, people are looking at our responses. Ouch. I'm currently running through my day, and I didn't get an A+ for handling situations with grace, love, meekness, wisdom, joy, patience, or even faith. Lord, help me to remember the beautiful gift of words You have given us. Please help me remember to use them wisely. God help me to honor You with each word spoken. I pray that people not only see You in me but hear You in me. God help me to speak Your love. Help me to edify and build others up, even when my flesh wants to tear them down. God help me to be careful with my tone. Help me to be thoughtful with my nonverbal reactions too. God, help me to seek You and Your wisdom before responding. God, I am always so guilty of giving quick and thoughtless responses. Please help me to be aware. Thank You, God, for Your precious Word. Thank You, God for the encouragement You provide us through it. Thank You God for preserving it. Thank You God for caring enough to share it with us. Thank You God for the freedom we have to read and share it. In Jesus Name, Amen. |
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Saved by God's amazing grace and living this divinely put together puzzle of a beautiful life He so graciously blessed. Archives
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