No, it’s not my birthday. The anniversary of my annual trips around the sun falls on July 1. Today, however, is the anniversary of a birth day that gives me greater joy than my own- the birth of my dear wife. Had it not been the will of God, she would not have been born. Or she might have been born in another era, another place, and He might not have brought us together. But she wasn’t, and He did. For that I give Him thanks.
Truth be told one of the hardships that comes from marrying later in life is, when you love one another as Lisa and I do, you struggle with regrets that you didn’t marry sooner. What if the blessings I’ve received from Lisa had started to bless me decades earlier? This, however, wasn’t God’s plan. And at the end of the day don’t we have to acknowledge that if we are given the choice between choosing our own days and living the life God has planned for us, that He is altogether more trustworthy than we are?
Which is why, though I did not know her when she was born, nor when she was in grade school, nor junior high or high school, though I did not know her when she was in college, or for decades after that, I can celebrate all those benchmarks with her. The things that I missed out on are the very things that have shaped her into what she has become, my deepest earthly blessing. They were the tools in His hand shaping her into who she is.
In this infamous year of 2020 not only have we faced what all of you have faced, a pandemic, riots in our streets, virtual house arrest, but have faced also the loss of Lisa’s mother, strained relationships, five kidney stones, four for me and one for her, multiple surgeries, financial hardship and uncertainty about our future. What does my bride do? She prays with and for me. She, with me, lovingly raises our two boys that are still with us. She risks rejection daily from those she seeks to love and serve. She covers me with blessing and patiently, gently speaks wisdom into my life. In short, she carries on being who she is, carries on being a blessing to all that she touches. She carries on pouring out God’s blessings.
All of which makes today a special day. Lisa’s mother, who loved Lisa as well as she was able, now loves her perfectly, from the other side of the veil. Lisa’s husband, who loves Lisa as well as I am able, walks toward the perfection that awaits me, becoming more like our mutual Husband who loves His bride fully, perfectly and immutably.
My prayer is that He will bless us with many more trips around the sun together, that our adventure in faith will continue, that we will walk into eternity hand in hand. My prayer is that she will be blessed this day and all her days, as she blesses me, our family, her friends and more. Happiest of birthdays my love. Your husband loves you.
You. My dearest gift. My husband for all days blesses me today and everyday. In the highs or lows of life we become less like our wretched flesh and more like our heavenly Father. You are my greatest earthly gift. God’s timing is perfect now and always— against our human regret and lack of insight. Here is to more adventures around the sun by His grace.
I. Love. You. Job 42:12
If you had met earlier you wouldn’t have your amazing testimonies. All in God’s perfect timing.
Amen! God gets all the glory!