Twelve Years a Marriage

Dear Husband,

Our first year of meeting was like a sprint. We became friends fast. Fell in love fast. Got engaged and married fast. Had babies fast. 

But twelve years of marriage was 4,383 days long. Not fast. More like steady. 

Our shared life has required us to train for a marathon of loving one another through all kinds of weather, changes in terrain, and fluctuating emotions. 

We slowed down and acclimated to each new addition to the family. As job changes and relocations surfaced,we watched our steps and adjusted our rhythm. We have learned to pace ourselves in patience when disagreements arise, when pain comes, when emotions blur our vision. 

To win this race, we must continue to fix our eyes on the finish line, not getting hung up on temporary circumstances or personality differences. 

Because we're not scoring individual points for a race we entered together. Everyone else may pass us by on their singular paths to happiness, but we know that we have chosen a team philosophy. There is no "I." 

We have common goals and worthy motivations: With Jesus as our inspiration, we're carrying a light to the world and raising our family to love God and others. It all starts with us.

I'm so proud of us for completing another year! Still holding hands. Still cheering one another on. Still in the race.

Thanks for running with me.

With love,

Your Wife

Seeing Opportunities in Interruptions

Interruptions frustrate me. They keep me from completing tasks quickly and distract me from accomplishing goals.

When one of my children ask me to find something, another one refuses to do something, and the youngest needs my help with something, just getting from Point A to Point B is like running a race against the wind. 

Interruptions are my current reality, but if I focus too much on these disruptions they throw off my perspective. I see only problems, instead of opportunities.

Even Jesus dealt with interferences: while he was trying to take a nap (Mark 4:35-39), while he was trying to speak (Mark 2:1-12 ), and while he was trying to go somewhere (Mark 4:22-34 ). Rather than ignoring requests, the Bible records many examples of Jesus stopping to address someone's problem. As a result, we have  stories of miracles and forgiveness to strengthen our faith. 

How quickly I forget that life is made up of moments. And moments are what we make them- planned or surprised. Each interference into my world can serve a precious purpose. 

When my neighbor knocks on the door, I don't have to stop what I'm doing and answer.  My choice is to ignore or engage. One decision totally makes her day and strengthens our trust and friendship. The other completely locks the door on kindness and hospitality.

Likewise, the interruption of a sick kid shocks me into canceling my plans for a few days. I don't like having to drop everything. It's certainly a quick track to self-sacrifice, because I'm forced to immerse myself in nursing and disinfecting until the victim is well. And yet, I can choose a grumbling attitude or a compassionate one. This interruption can emotionally knock me down or give me laser-sharp focus on the health of my family. My kids can tell if I'm serving out of love or out of obligation.

The endless disruptions throughout my every day, can nag at me like a dripping faucet or open my eyes to those smallish, important moments. Re-tying a shoe, settling arguments, applying band-aids, last minute carpool arrangements, answering the 385th question... Each inconvenient interruption is an opportunity. To love better. To learn more. To help another. To be aware. 

My friend, Joey (from JoeyTalks), said "Interruptions are intended to get my attention." His family experienced a dramatic disruption a few years ago that caused him to stop and process his whole perspective. His story impacted me. Watch this video and look for opportunities in any unexpected moments that come your way today: https://vimeo.com/50019083

1 Peter 4:8-11 Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them. Welcome others into your homes without complaining. God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever. Amen.