Yesterday, Chris and I celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary. As we were eating dinner, and talking about the last 5 years, I realized how God has used my marriage to change me. Once I decided to marry Chris, I quit my job, relocated, started a new job, purchased a new home, married, got a new dog, and then another new dog (RIP Buddy), had my first child, quit my job, and had my second child. No amount of premarital counseling could have prepared me for all the change that would take place, once I said, "I do."
I married a patient, kind, loving, hard working, God seeking, funny man. However, marriage has not been a cake walk for me. I have been on such a journey in marriage, even in the first 5 years. I told one of my friends, that once you get married, it's as if you are walking around wearing a huge mirror. For the first time ever, you see yourself the way your spouse sees you, and sometimes that is quite disturbing. You see how your selfishness and bad attitude looks in the eyes of someone else. You also see how it affects someone else. Someone you care so much about. If that doesn't help drive you to change, I'm not sure what will.
In 5 years, God has taken the great qualities of my husband, and used them to help me become a better person. Through Chris, I have learned how to give people the 'benefit of the doubt.' I have learned how to give things time, and not be so reactive. I have learned how to be less dependant on other people's opinions, and more focused on what I think is right. In harder times, God has used Chris to teach me patience, unconditional love, and forgiveness. God has used marriage, to show me that I can't change myself, but if I lean on Him, I can change. Did you read that? God has used marriage to teach me how to lean on Him: over, and over, and over, and over, again. In almost every way, marriage is teaching me how to be more like Christ...in the way that I live, love, and serve. Cheers to the past 5 years and to a lifetime ahead. To God be the glory, great things he has done.
How true! We've only been married just over a year, but already we've faced some difficult times. The changes in us have been significant, but for certainly, for the best. I've enjoyed watching is grow in Christ together. Sounds like you both have done the same! Happy 5th Anniversary!
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