Day of Sweet Remembrance

Yesterday was our second anniversary. Luke asked me what I wanted to do on Sunday. He took me out to a nice dinner Sunday evening. I made him heart shaped pancakes Monday morning for breakfast. I was happy to be remembered - completely satisfied with our celebration. I figured that we were happy enough just getting to be married everyday. A big shindig wasn't really needed.

Monday morning came and went. I was in the kitchen doing dishes, thinking that I should go check on Ezekiel because it had been quiet for a while . . . decided to just finish up quick and then go and find him. I looked up in the mirror that is above the kitchen sink and saw a man's arms around Ezekiel and my little blueberry eyes smiling with a container of chocolates in his hand. Once I registered that those were Luke's arms and the chocolates were for me I caught my breath . . . came around the corner to greet him and found roses on the table, complete with a letter. Sweet man! Behind the letter was a page of four date options for me to choose from.

After I tried to not cry over my husband's sweet letter, I selected going to the beach and heard no complaint from Luke - only interrogations to ensure that I didn't chose that option just because I knew he liked it. Even as opposite as we are, we like the beach rather equally.

It was cold. I knew that getting used to the water slow would never cut it. So I ran. Got numb and wet. Loved every minute of it.

Luke took enough photos of me running to make a video out of. But I don't plan on it. :-)

I am not sure why I am frowning here. I was happy . . . honest.

Thanks Mom, for taking good care of our little mister while we were gone.

You usually don't find a leader and a servant wrapped up into one man. The man who thinks for himself and is unmoved by people's opinion doesn't wash the dishes and change the diapers. At least, that was my understanding of men and personality types. :-) But somehow God blessed me with a man unlike any other I have ever known. He works to make my load light. He is the essence of a leader to me.

In the last two years, I have learned how utterly selfish I am. How much of what I did was for other people - not the Lord. I have questioned "who in the world" I was as things changed fast and sometimes left me confused. I have felt like giving up because I was tired of struggling and could see no end to my pride and sin that caused me grief time and time again. Sometimes the pain seemed to steal my breath, make me feel physically sick, and make me want to give in. That's when Luke would "get in my face" and make me quote Scripture to him. Reminding me of the truth until I was strengthened again, if only for another day.

I learned that I can't float off of my husband's relationship with the Lord. That having a godly family isn't just reading Scripture and praying together. It isn't staying home with your kids, having your babies naturally, or being a conservative Christian. It is being fixed on Christ. It is depending on Him. Not a life style. Not my husband. Not children. The size of my family. Where I live. What I look like. What people say about me. What I think people are thinking about me.

Thank you, Luke, for not selling yourself to me or giving me answers in you. I adore you for making me depend on Christ. Thank you for taking your time making decisions . . . not letting a passionate "black and white" wife get your eyes off our Lord and waiting before Him. Thank you for not delaying one instant once you perceive the will of God. Your obedience to Him is complete and trustful . . . without your own reasoning weaved within it.

Our wedding day was beautiful. Day to day life with you is yet more precious.