joyindestructible

I take my husband’s strong, work-worn hand in mine and I am overwhelmed by love, joy, peace, and gratitude. With these dear rough hands, my husband loves me and gives himself for me, like no other person. By these hands, he provides for me, as he provided for the family we created together. He comforts me in sad times and celebrates with me in the good times. He is my best friend, the lasting companion of my life. My husband is there supporting me, no matter what unfolds before us each day. He sees what is best in me and he reinforces what he sees. His encouragement is solid. He knows all my flaws, inside and out and when I hurt him through my sin, he forgives me. Though he loves me with the passion of a man, he also loves me better, with a love that reflects the genuine love of God. My husband’s face is the face of unconditional love and he taught me the right definition of love by his actions. Even though he isn’t faultless, Jesus lives in him by faith and over the years, I’ve witnessed the process of his perfecting by faith and shared in that same process with him. The more he gives of himself to Jesus, the more he has to offer me; and as I submit myself to Jesus, I give myself to him. Our marriage isn’t a perfect marriage but because of Jesus, our marriage is joyful and strong. It is our mutual submission to Christ that has enabled our marriage to last, in Him our union consists. Our household is a household of faith.

I write these words in honor of my husband but also, in praise to God for blessing us with one another. Thirty-eight years is a long time for any human relationship to last and remain loving. I know it isn’t the ceremony we took part in or the license from the government that keeps us together. Though we have a powerful emotional bond, even that connection isn’t enough to maintain our union through all the threats in life that threaten to tear our relationship apart. We remain united on earth until death tears us apart because God put us together. Our marriage is our individual commitment first, to God, one another, our family, and to our community, to live as God ordains. It is our mutual submission to Christ that elevates our relationship to more than just another love affair. In Him our carnal union is made holy and is a living example of the relationship of Jesus Christ with the church. As my husband and I grow together in Christ, our relationship is a precise tool in conforming each of us to the image of Christ Jesus. Our unity isn’t only for us to enjoy, it is an important piece in God’s plan “to bring unity to all things in heaven and earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:10b)

Joyfully, I submit to Jesus in my marriage by submitting to my husband and when I stumble by failing to do so, I turn to God and my husband for forgiveness. My husband does the same by turning to God for strength and continuing to sacrifice of himself for my well-being. When we argue, we settle it before we go to sleep. Each of us lives by truth and truth keeps our relationship transparent and working on the things we’d rather not see. We are a team and together, we’ve built many things. My husband is the greatest blessing of my life, my miracle in flesh and blood. Together, we live, laugh, celebrate, fight, cry, and make peace only, to start all over again. I don’t regret one moment of it and I marvel at who we were when all of this began and who we are now. I am better because of him and he is better because of me. True marriage is surely, a work of God! I am thankful to be blessed in a marriage as ordained by God.

Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.