Past Few Years - Part 6 - My Wife

My series about reflecting on the past few years is dragging out a bit, but I didn't expect it to go by quickly. Perhaps it will be ongoing. It was supposed to be a methodical, deliberate way for me to recount on the most significant things that have happened in my life in recent years. And I tend to be slow in thought (deliberate as I like to say) so it is taking a while. Plus it's difficult to find enough time to actually be able to reflect and write about things since I'm so slow. But I wanted to provide a quick interim to write a little about the most important person in my life. This is supposed to be sort of the climax of my series here, since this is where much of what preceded culminates. But I feel anxious to get to the best part, so I will give a sneak peak if you will.

When I first started talking to Emily, I immediately was drawn to her beauty. Beauty not only outwardly (wow), but beauty inwardly and all around. She just exuded a sense of beauty; not only beauty but specifically purity. She carried herself with this air of goodness, like I knew and could tell just by being around her that God resided in her and she loved him with all her heart. This was not in arrogance or selfishness, but with confidence in who she was and a contentedness in her soul. It was as clear as day to notice it, yet I'm still mystified by it. I could instantly sense a difference between her and every girl I'd ever met, yet I could not put my finger quite on it.

Not to be overpoetic, as if all moments are dreamy with her, but all moments are real with her. She is practical, hardworking, and reliable. She is pleasant, hilarious, and a joy to be with. I don't deserve the love she has given me, and the willingness and desire she has to serve and minister to me. She is the sweetest blessing I have in my life. How many men could say they have a wife that wants to please them? I suspect this is a rarity in today's selfish and self-serving culture. "An excellent wife who can find?" She truly is far more precious than jewels. Not that I want jewels, but I suppose the point there for me is that she is worth far more than the ring I've given her. The ring is simply a symbol of her worth, yet she is worth far more.

Not only is she beautiful, but she is fun. She is my best friend, and I enjoy being with her more than anyone. She made me get on this slingshot thing at the State Fair that fires you up in the air with giant rubber bands and spins you around. If we would have died, we would have gone out together. It would have been a fun way to go out with her sitting next to me.

She knows Jesus better than I do, and she's been faithful to him better than I have. I know that before we met, she was being faithful to him and trusting him even in the hardest times of her life. She was patiently loving me before I even met her by guarding herself and entrusting her life to God and not to her feelings or her own selfish desires like so many of us, including me, do constantly.

I am a wretched dude. I don't deserve her. I don't deserve a wife or any blessings I have received. Too many times, I don't behave like I should or I turn from my responsibilities. But God has graced me in giving her to me because he has chose to do so in his love. God forbid I forget this fact that all of life is grace and that God is the giver of all things in Christ.

I pray that every man desiring a wife would have someone like my wife Emily. I pray that I would lead, serve and love her well her whole life. Far more to come. Thank you Jesus.