Contract
Four years ago I said yes to the unknown. I agreed to be with my husband through better and worse, through riches and poverty and sickness and health. We have no idea what these extremes look like when we are mouthing the words at the altar of our choosing. We have no idea how the stressors of life will affect our lives and our marriage. We don’t know what caregiving and unstable job markets will do to our union. We don’t know how kids will utterly disrupt our norm. We don’t know what life looks like after “I do.” Each year, we say “yes” again to the unknown. Each year we sign our names at the bottom of a contract not knowing what the following year may bring. That’s marriage….it’s jumping in the deep end holding hands. It’s saying, "I might not like you, but I love you, and we are going to get through this together.” Marriage is saying it might be our last, but we will spend it together. Marriage is signing a contract you never intend to break.
Chemistry
Chemistry is often overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying attraction isn’t important, but its not what makes a relationship last. I used to think that I needed that spark to connect with someone. Over time, I’ve learned to value common beliefs and mutual respect. I value partnership. I value someone who can encourage me when I’m down. I value someone who can grow together with me. Chemistry is definitely a factor, but its not a deciding one.
Love Covers
1 Peter 4:8-And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
This was yesterday's daily scripture. I started to think about divorce rates and came to the conclusion that we have been conditioned to quit. We don’t forgive. We don't give second chances. We quit. We get mad. We feel wronged, and we quit. Our love is circumstantial instead of unconditional. Our love is conditional. Our marriages are not based on devotion, but mutual convenience. We don't let love cover. We don’t love. We “like” strongly. Maybe we need to revisit the book of Peter to get a better understanding of the power of love. Real love covers.
Grace
Grace is a often used as a theological term that refers to a divine influence that helps to inspire virtuous impulses and impart strength to endure trials and temptation. Grace is love and mercy given to us by God. It is not earned. It is given. Grace is unmerited. Grace is unconditional. Grace is inexhaustible. Grace is a gift that can be shared because it was extended to us freely. God’s grace is a gift we open daily.
Profess
I want to tell you a story about a tin can. My husband and I had a friend of ours make us two custom cans with the names of our future kids on them. At the time, we were just dating. We knew we wanted to get married and have kids, but we just weren’t there yet. This can sat along side 4 other tin cans with our names on them. We celebrated anniversaries and other milestones and still the cans sat. We moved and packed the cans away without a second thought. The cans sat for years. Three to be exact. Then, on resurrection Sunday we pulled out one of those cans and stuffed it into an egg for a gender reveal.
Sometimes, we pray. We decree. We declare. We profess and nothing materializes. Our hopes and dreams sit on a shelf. We pack them away without of a second thought, because they just haven’t come to pass. Well, I’m here to tell you that one day you will unpack that dream. You will pull your “hope” off the shelf, and it will be relevant in due season. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. Just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean that God didn’t hear you. Profess your heart’s desire. God is always listening.
Expectation
Yesterday, we announced that we are expecting a child this fall. The love and support has been nothing short of overwhelming. The word expectation is defined as a strong belief that something will happen. I’ve always wanted children. I’ve seen myself with children, but never knew the “when” or the “who.” The “who” came and we waited on the “when.” It was not when we were planning. It was when God said so. It was in due season. It was when God ordained it. Even now, I’m still waiting. I still have expectation. I know this child is coming. I have a due date, but its still out of my control. Truthfully, my “when” and the Dr.’s “when” may not be God’s “when.” Whatever you are trusting God for, know that it will come when God says so, and even then you’re gonna have to wait. Waiting is the prerequisite for expectation.
Restoration
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
res·to·ra·tion
/ˌrestəˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.
the return of a hereditary monarch to a throne, a head of state to government, or a regime to power.
Most of us can remember all the things we have lost in this life. For those of us who have experienced tragedy, the list might be in the forefront of our minds. We reminisce. We remember, and sometimes we regret. Loss has a way of bringing up all sorts of emotions, but how do we feel when we experience restoration? How do we feel when the claim check is in the mail? How do we feel when we buy another house? How do we feel when we get a second chance to get right? God is a restorer. He is a God of restoration. For everything you have lost, you should have an expectation of God. God is a God of more than enough. There are countless stories of restoration in the bible. My favorite is Job, a strong second is Elijah and the widow. Take time to focus on God’s word and ask for restoration in your life. What do you need God to restore?