This year (in 4 weeks to be exact), my husband and I will have been married for 31 years. In today's society, that is a big accomplishment. Marriage takes commitment and dedication. It also takes endurance, especially when you are married to me. :) One of my favorite verse in the Bible is:
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The glory of that verse is that it is true. And thank the Lord that it is....because I need a multitude of covering some days. ;)
I can honestly say that I am married to my best friend. It hasn't always been easy, as my children will testify. But I can tell you that I wouldn't change a thing about the last 31 years of my life. My husband is a very patient man. He is kind, and he always thinks of others before himself. My children and I often have to be sneaky about buying him anything, because given the chance, he will spend every last dime on one of us before he would spend it on himself. That is just the way he is. Most of our married life has been spent apart....due to the jobs that he has held. For 15 years he was a soldier in the Army. I don't need to tell most people the time that is spent separated in that career field. Then for 7 years he was a long haul truck driver. He spent 2 weekends a month at home in-between runs. Then he signed on with KBR and went to Iraq as a contractor. He has spent the past 6 years working in war torn Iraq. He arrived there before all of the infrastructure took place, and was able to watch over the past few years as things took shape. He started out as a truck driver on the desert roads. He can tell you stories of the things God has brought him through. He has had the privilege of leading others to Christ in those years. He has also been in situations where he knew the hand of God had kept him safe, or had diverted trouble away from him, as well as the men who were with him. He has made a multitude of friendships, and has touched many lives with his generosity. He says he has been blessed beyond measure with the opportunities that God has given him to show a kindness to others less fortunate than himself. I am honored to call him my husband, and more than blessed to call him my best friend.
In October of this past year, he found himself without a job. KBR had un-expectantly ended his contract. And so, he came home (wooo hooo!) and spent 3 months job hunting. What a wonderful thing it was to have him home....to just be able to talk to him every day...face to face and not over the phone for 15 minutes at a time. It is amazing the things you take for granted! I pulled out my LONG honey-do list and we got busy! And trust me... I did keep him busy! ;) I had forgotten how much fun it was to work together to accomplish the things that needed fixing around our home. I had been so used to doing things all by myself. Having my companion here to help was beyond wonderful. Being able to share on a daily basis with the love of my life, was a gift that I will forever be grateful for. For spouses that spend the majority of their careers away from home, it is easy to forget what it is like to run a household....and care for a family on a day by day basis. It gave us a small taste of what retirement will be like for us someday. :)
It is that same love (and more!) that our Heavenly Father has for us! If we could only fathom the dept and height of that love, we would be astounded! John 3:16 tells us: "For God so loved the world (you and I) that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life!" What a promise to hold on to! Knowing that my Father is always a prayer away, gives me the grace to make it through each day. It is "HE" that holds my hand...that leads me where I go and gives me strength to make it through each day. And it is enough. His word also tells me that he will supply all of my needs, according to His riches in glory!!
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