Trials, Temptations and Giants

I am continually amazed with the movement of God's hand through my life.  Honestly, I shouldn't be.  I know that He works in our lives, but I'm forever amazed that He would want to work in mine.  Who am I that He would - in such detailed ways - be concerned for my ways and heart?

The amazing love, grace and understanding of God have come my way in so many forms over the past few months.  No matter the outcome on physical and health issues I suffered the past year, He was with me.  Giving me a better perspective on those are going through medical trials.

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:  when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Isaiah 43:2

The overwhelming thorn in my flesh is the temptation to be snarky, sarcastic and cynical.  Until being able to move beyond the health issues, I truly had no desire to allow Him to create in me a clean heart.  My quick quips are how I dealt with hateful or tyrannical people.  Whether their attempts have been to hurt or control -- my resort has been a disingenuous remark.  I struggle with it moment by moment.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10

There have been many giants in my life recently.  The past year includes health issues, business plans and financial obstacles -- to name just a few.  In each, I have instinctively hid my face from them for the first few days.  My fear can prove paralyzing when I allow it to grab hold with a very firm hand.  When I chose to barely face the giants and timidly raise my head, with God's hand I made it through.  I can't imagine what He will do when I bravely stare the giants in the face and proceed forward.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, 

and of love, and of a sound mind."

II Timothy 1:7

The past few months I have been presented with message after message which seem to be God designed for my ears and heart.  Repeatedly I have heard how to allow God to take us through trials, temptations -- now to face these giants with courage.  No matter how ill equipped I have felt I am for the battle, God has known it was nearing.  He has provided me with all that I need.


 

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Let the Wife...

"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, 
and let him make her sorry to see him leave."
~ Martin Luther

This lovely quote was on a piece of paper handed out at the Valentine's Banquet for the church we have been attending. Sadly, I think my husband and I have only reached the truth of this quote within the past year.

This past October marked our 8th wedding anniversary. Though we've only been married a short time, I feel we have learned quite a bit about marriage. Our marriage hasn't always been smooth. In fact, looking back... I find so many things I wish I had done differently. I wonder how amazing our marriage would be if I had known then, what I know now. I can't imagine what all we still have to learn.

Most of all, I wish I had made him glad to come home to me. I don't mean that he wasn't glad to come home to me... I wish it was something I had actively worked at. Starting off, we were so busy with our own jobs and trying to build a financial ground for our family. I feel that we were so busy with our list of things to do... that we missed out on very important bonding moments early in the marriage.

I can't speak for how the husband should follow through on the above quote, yet there are many ways I can see where I as a wife can work at making him continue to want to come home to me.

Having the opportunity to be a stay at home wife and mother, I try to have the house clean for him when he returns home in the evenings. It is not a spotless home and all the toys are not in their proper place. However, I do strive for it to be pleasant on his return. I'm certainly not June Cleaver when he walks through the door, but this should be his place of rest... and I do what I am able in order to accommodate that.

I also do not use my writing {blogs, articles, books} to put him down. I understand the importance of his role as husband and father. I respect him and keep any quarrels or complaints we have, between us. This doesn't mean I'm sugar-coating my marriage or family life. I'm having respect for it.

Since realizing the need to actively work at making our home and marriage peaceful, I have seen an amazing growth in our relationship.  We take more time for each other, we sit closer and hold hands more often.  



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It's {Definitely} the Little Things

Yesterday, my cell phone decided it was entirely through with our relationship. It had enough of my Twitter, Facebook and Email. It would do what it wanted, when it wanted. Even if this meant ignoring my finger swiping across the screen to activate an app or answer an incoming call. Even if this meant it would open apps and make calls on its own.

I became very frustrated and honestly a little worried as this is the only phone I have throughout my day. We do not have a land-line. At one time we did, but we never used it and I could never recall what the number was to give out to people.

While I drifted off to sleep, Dan decided to switch mine and his phones. He had his number placed on my phone and mine placed on his. This morning when I awoke, my new phone was charging on my nightstand.

This may not seem like a big deal. However, I know how much he enjoys his phone. In fact, I will usually take his hand-me-down phone {instead of getting a new one myself} as I really do not care or put much thought into the phone. I just want it to work. {I will admit that I love the capabilities of smart phones}

Now he is using the mildly crazy phone. I have the better and more up to date phone. It makes me feel bad that I did not take better care of my phone and it now has issues. Yet I feel ultimately blessed that I have such a thoughtful husband.

Yesterday I saw people posting status updates on Facebook that were clearly from hurt or loneliness on Valentine's Day. Some didn't have a Valentine of their own and some expected traditional flowers, card and chocolates and maybe didn't receive them. It was a great reminder to me to look beyond what we're told our loved ones will do for us if they really care. We are all different and show love in our own way. I am blessed to see how much my husband loves me and our children through the 'little things' like he did last night.

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Valentine's Day

Though the husband and I have never been the types to celebrate Valentine's Day much, it is a neat day to take time to remember the love you have for each other. I prefer celebrations of anniversaries that mean something to our marriage. The month we met, the day we became engage, the day we were married, etc... those are times of the year that hold a special place in my heart.

Regardless of how you celebrate {or don't} Have a fantastic day!




Here is a look into one of the possible origins of Valentine's Day.

The Legend of St. Valentine

The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and--most importantly--romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Taken from History.com

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