9 years and counting...

Josh & Moriah - June 19, 2004
Nine years ago I was within shouting distance of married life. I was enjoying my final day as a single man, thinking back on almost five years of dating and looking forward to who knows what. I knew who I was marrying and what I hoped to do, but the rest of what my life would become was just potential. I knew nothing of the joys or trials that would come. I didn't know that my appendix would rupture, my wife's job would fall through, or that I would be entering the ministry within just a few months. I couldn't have imagined that in a few years we would be the parents of three beautiful children.

As I look back on the past nine years of marriage I can't help but be amazed at what God has done. Throughout all the job changes, moves, births, deaths, and everything in between, God has completely taken care of us. There have been moments where I have doubted, but never a second where we weren't firmly in God's sovereign hand.

I have no idea how much time I have left with my beautiful bride. I don't know if it is months, years, or decades. I don't know who I will welcome into this world next or who I will bury. I don't know where I will live or work one year from now much less ten or twenty. Sure, I have hopes and dreams regarding these unknowns. I would love it if this next home in Tennessee would be the one we are in for the rest of our lives. I would love to see my daughters grow up into godly women. But those things aren't mine to worry about. All of those unknowns are known to God. If there is one thing I will bring from these past nine years of marriage into the next, it is to trust God at all times. Scripture records this well in Proverbs where we read, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Throughout all the unknowns it has been amazing to have my wife, Moriah, by my side. She is my support, my help-mate, my better half, my best friend, the completion of who I am. As we have grown closer to one another we have been drawn closer to God as well, which is how a good marriage should be. Whatever God brings our way, I'm thankful that He has given me such a wonderful woman to share this journey.

I love you Moriah. Happy anniversary!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christian Deconstruction

Image
My latest morning live session gave some insights into my own experience with Christian Deconstruction. If you aren’t familiar with this phraseology, think of it like tearing down a house in order to see what the foundation is made of. Many Christians go through this process once they are confronted with a crisis of adversity or prosperity. Jesus spoke about this directly in his parable of the different soils in Matthew 13. While only one of the plants in this parable bore fruit and proved to be genuine, two others looked like legit plants until they were confronted with trials, adversity, or the pleasures of this world. When those came around they were shown to be what they were, a fake plant. Personally, I went through this deconstruction process at the end of 2017. I was very suddenly without a spouse, job, or church. My roles of husband, pastor, ministry leader, and churchman were removed and I was left to consider what my faith really rested on. Was it based on what I wa...
Read more

Sunday Singables: "You Are God Alone"

Image
"You Are God Alone (Not a God)"  by Philips, Craig, and Dean, released on Let the Worshippers Arise (2004) Why I recommend this song for worship- As we come before the Lord in worship, it is important to remember Who we are worshiping. We aren't coming before a famous singer or venerated politician. We aren't about to see our favorite sports team play. This is God we are addressing. This song reminds us of who God is and why He is worthy of our worship. It takes the focus off us and fixes our eyes on the Father. The melody honors the lyrics and lets us build on different themes emotionally and musically. This song has always been a great reminder to me of God's sovereignty and leaves me standing in awe that He could love someone like me. Changes I've Made- I haven't adjusted too much with this one. They keys posted below are both pretty singable, but I would recommend doing it in A (or G with capo 2 for guitar). Any lower and the verses get ha...
Read more

Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call

Image
These past few weeks I've been wrestling with loneliness. It's been a difficult transition; moving from having someone to talk to about everything to... well, to sharing that with a journal, and maybe a few highlights for my friends. The huge positive is that I talk a lot more with God. I know He's always known me, but I'm feeling like we're communicating better, and more often, than I ever have in the past. However, the loneliness still remains. I know I'm not alone in this life situation. My mother-in-law (how does that work now?) who will always be my second Mom lost her husband several years ago, and I know she's wrestled with this. I have friends who have been single all their lives, seemingly content with their friends and their God, but go through seasons of doubt and discouragement all the same. I know others who have lost a spouse through death or divorce. Still others who simply feel alone even within their marriage and outwardly perfect life. ...
Read more