All For The Good

Yesterday was our sixth year anniversary! WOW, how far we've come. It's been a roller coaster ride in so many ways!

So, yesterday morning I got up with my coffee and pulled out my Daily Light devotional book and turned to September 21. I couldn't believe that this set of verses were on "our day"!!

"We know all things work together for the good to those who love God.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; with the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good. All things are yours; whether...the world or life or death, or things present or things to come - all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. All things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing"

(Rom. 8:28;Ps. 76:10;Gen.50:20;1 Cor. 3:21-23;2Cor.4:15-17;James 1:2-4)

Robert and I had an uphill mountain to climb when we got married. In a few months after being married, we welcomed our first child! Robert finished school while working full time, then went on to pursue a career. While I was at home discovering who I was as a young new mother. Not the smoothest of starts for young marrieds.

We certainly didn't do it the "right way". But I'm constantly amazed by how far we've come! God has been right here with us the past 6 years. Yes, there were times I thought, "Where are You! What are You doing to me! This isn't fair!"

But all I have to do is look at my amazing husband, who never stopped seeking God's will for our family, and our healthy children that He has entrusted to us for such a short period of time and realize how richly blessed we are.

So all of our "horrible trials" (in our eyes) are just producing patience and helping to complete God's work in our family. They weren't meant to be mean or evil. Though they seemed like it in the heat of the moment.

I'm grateful for my perspective that I think God has blessed me with. It would be so easy for me to get jealous and have a pity party for me because I can't do things my friends are doing. Or go on amazing trips whenever I want. Or have a huge decked out house and tons of clothes. Would I like those things. That's a big fat "YES". But I like to try and see the bigger picture. Those things, I can't take to heaven with me. But I certainly want my family there!!!

I hope we have many more years together! I can't wait to see where God takes our family. If the first 6 years were this amazing, I can't wait to see where we are in 50 years!!!!

Happy Anniversary Robert! I love you and thank you for all that you do for our family!



::Added Later::

I wrote this post before church on Sunday. The service just reinforced what I was feeling when I wrote this.

Today matters. We're only guaranteed today. People matter. Relationships are more important that worldly things that don't last forever. You don't want regrets when it comes to people and relationships. Eternity matters!! It's real people. We will all stand face to face with the Living God one day. Our life is just a brief moment in time. Make it count!! The treasures in heaven will be so much more rewarding than our earthly possessions.

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is."
Psalm 39:4 (NLT)