The Union- Celebrating 5 Years

The Real Marriage Conference was amazing and refreshing and I am so thankful that my dad and mom were willing and able to keep the boys while we traveled to Anderson, SC.  

On May 19, 2007, I never could have imagined that my union with Craig could be what it is today, almost five years later.  Although we wanted to get married, we didn't really know how difficult it could be.  We simply knew that we wanted something different from the divorce and decay of marriages around us-and we didn't have a clue as to how to get there- even as believers.  We were selfish.  It was tumultuous. It was lonely at times. Until we heard Tim Keller's sermons on marriage, we had absolutely no clue what we were doing or where we were going. Until we experienced gospel community and accountability we were left on our own.

I do not take for granted that first year of marriage, we learned a lot. Our days look different now, though.  Sure we still have squabbles- we are human and sinners and selfish.  But it is clinging to the Word, repenting, forgiving and letting go of the "me" that grows us.  God has been so incredibly gracious to our family.  At the Real Marriage conference (and daily) we heard stories of adultery, emotional absence and role confusion that were  absolutely running marriages into the ground-or that were already there. It broke my heart and breaks my heart to hear of severed marriages. Let me be clear in saying that Craig and I are not above those things. We are not above that demise and to think we were would be absolute folly.  

We have to create war with the sin in our life, and the little foxes that ruin the vineyard of our marriage are no different. We have to be intentional about the time we have together, invest, sacrifice, serve, love, and forgive. 

"We do not forgive our spouses because they are good or deserving, but rather because God is good and deserving." Real Marriage

"As an act of worship, we must respond to our sinful spouses as God has responded to our sin-with forgiveness. " Real Marriage

I am so grateful for five years of marriage, a loving husband, God's perfect design for marriage, forgiveness and mercy, and the strong desire given us by the Holy Spirit to make war with the sin in our life.  To God be the Glory!