My Valentine!

"Therefore shall
a man
leave his father
and his mother,
and shall cleave unto
his wife:
and they shall be
one flesh."
 Genesis 2:24

Since Valentine's Day is just a few days away, I thought this was the perfect time to talk about
my valentine!  

So why am I taking so much time to gush about my husband?  Well because I can!  And because in my mind and in my heart he truly deserves it!  And, besides my relationship with Jesus Christ, my relationship with my husband is the most important relationship in my life.  And I just like to give respect where respect is deserved.

"and the wife
see that she
reverence
her husband."
Ephesians 5:33

Brian wears many different "hats" and holds many "titles".  Of course one of them is husband!  

BUT
the
most important
title
he has
is
child of God!   

When Brian and I got married on August 13, 1983, neither one of us had a personal relationship with Jesus, and to he honest, neither of us was looking in that direction whatsoever!  We were quite content living our lives the way we were!  We were young, in love and "the sky was the limit!"  But I'm so thankful that the Lord was seeking us, even if we were not seeking after Him!

"We love him,
because
he first loved us."
I John 4:19

I came to know Jesus as my personal Saviour on May 16, 1989, and two years later, Brian trusted Christ as His personal Saviour on October 30, 1990.  

This husband the Lord has given to me, has sat by my bedside many times over the years when the symptoms of my chronic illness were almost unbearable, and he would hold my hand and pray with tears streaming down his face or just sit quietly to let me know that I was not alone.  And I love that about him! 

This husband the Lord has given to me, loves the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all this strength, and it shows in the life which he lives.  And I love that about him! 

This husband the Lord has given to me, is more than content to take me on truck dates since going into a restaurant is too much for me to handle.  And I love that about him!   

This husband the Lord has given to me, doesn’t mind at all when I call him in the midst of his busy work day just to hear his voice because I was feeling lonely.  And I love that about him! 

This husband the Lord has given to me, is "boss" over fifteen guys at his job, but he doesn't treat them as if he is the "master" and they are the "slaves".  He isn't afraid to get "down in the trenches" along side of them.  They look up to him in a respectful way and know that he is a Christian.  He is always looking for ways to be a blessing and a witness for Christ  to "his guys".  And I love that about him!  

This husband the Lord has given to me, stayed with me when I was in the hospital for six days in November, 2012.  He slept in a chair.  He never went home.  He never left my side.  And I love that about him!      

This husband the Lord has given to me, has a God-given talent and ability to build.  Over the years, he has had the privilege of helping in the construction of three churches, two Sunday School buildings, designed and built a duplex to house missionaries, helped in the construction of three houses, the rebuilding of a home consumed by fire, and lots of other things I know I'm missing.  He would be the first to tell you that it was ALL done for the honor and the glory of the Lord.  And I love that about him!   

"And whatsoever ye do
in word or deed,
do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God
and the Father by him."
Colossians 3:17

This husband the Lord has given to me, is the spiritual leader of our home.  I didn't say that he is the dictator, I said that he is the spiritual leader of our home!  I'm so thankful he is, because so often, so very often, I am very double-minded over many different matters and I NEED his leadership!  And I love that about him!   

This husband the Lord has given to me, has a very fun-loving side to him.  He knows how to make me laugh and how to make GREAT MEMORY-MAKING times when our son, daughter-in-law and precious granddaughter are at our home visiting with us!  And I love that about him!   

This husband the Lord has given to me, goes out every morning, gets his coffee, finds a place to park his truck, opens God's Word, READS it and spends time praying.  Yes, his red Ford F-150 is his War Room.  And I love that about him!     

What I appreciate most about this husband the Lord has given to me, is that he lets me cry on his shoulder and tell him how awful my day has been and he will hug me and listen to me.  BUT he knows EXACTLY when it's time to pop the balloons and pull down the streamers and eat the last piece of cake at MY PITY PARTY! 

He does it by pointing me back to the Lord and back to the Word of God!  And I love that about him!   

This was a quote that I read recently in a well known Christian magazine. "Statistics show that over seventy-five percent of marriages plagued by chronic illness end in divorce."  

WOW!  That is a staggering percentage.    

But I PRAISE GOD that our marriage not only has survived over the years, especially these past thirteen years of dealing with a life-altering chronic illness, but our marriage has THRIVED! 

How, you ask? 

Well the only way it is possible. 

I have Jesus at the center of my life.  Brian has Jesus at the center of his life.  And we have Jesus at the center of our marriage.  We are rooted in Christ which allows us to TRULY love, honor, respect and cherish one another. 

Does that mean our marriage is perfect?  Ummmmm, NO, not at all, because neither one of us is perfect!!  However, we both serve and love a PERFECT GOD!  

“Thou art worthy,
O Lord,
to receive
glory
and honour
and power:
for thou
hast created
all things,
and for
thy pleasure
they are
and were created.”
Revelation 4:11

“Father, I’m so very thankful that You gave to me the EXACT husband whom You knew that I needed way back on August 13, 1983.  Lord, You, and You alone, have been our help and our strength over the years.  Thank You, Father, for allowing us not to just survive, but to thrive in our marriage!  Father, thank You, that our love for each other and our love for You continues to grow with each day that passes.  In Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.” 

Yes, Brian knew I was going to write about him today!  He didn't know exactly what I was going to write!  So I know as he reads this (YES, this husband the Lord has given to me DOES read every word that I write and I LOVE THAT ABOUT HIM!)  But as he reads this, I know that it will "embarrass" him, but he will know that was NOT my intention whatsoever.  He knows that ALL that I wrote was straight from my heart to his.  As well as a "thank you" in praise to the Lord for giving to me such an amazing husband!    

I am truly blessed by this husband the Lord has given to me!!

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May God Bless You,

Barb