On December 18, 2005, I walked down an aisle and became Mrs. Jones--for better or for worse. The thing about life is that it cannot be predicted. We can hope, dream, and make feeble attempts to plan, but tomorrow the wind will blow from a direction that I have no part in choosing. Since our wedding day, Nick and I have experienced both the expected and the unexpected. We have lived through days, weeks, and months that we would not wish to replay. I wouldn't change the route we've taken; It is in the stumbling and falling that we learn how to walk. However, trying times aren't what we hope for.Sometimes I've been the stumbling block on my own path; a detriment to myself and one to sabotage my own marriage. Sometimes Nick has been the stumbling block. Always we are both called to more commitment, love, respect, patience, and grace than comes naturally. On the learning curve, I would have to say that my own progress is unsteady. I desire to be the kind of wife God calls me to be, but that implies selflessness and the fruits of the spirit...all of which I painfully lack. It doesn't take long in a marriage to see the flaws in 'your better half', but I'm convinced it takes a lifetime to admit the flaws we don't wish to acknowledge in ourselves. But, it is when we start to see how impossible we can be that we more fully appreciate the spouse that has loved us all along.
I am thankful for Nick. He sees things in a different light than I do. He is a loving, involved Daddy. He helps me out when I'm exhausted--even if he is exhausted, too. Nick fends off discouragement and rejects the untruths that I unconsciously accept. He seeks to praise more than he criticizes. He comforts me even when he doesn't fully understand. He laughs with me, he dreams with me, and he holds my hand when life is dark and monsters are real.
I've been sick for a couple days and appreciate all that Nick has done. During this bout with the flu, and as a general rule, Nicolas is my biggest blessing. "May the blessing return to you, sweet Nick, a hundredfold."
1 comment:
I Peter 4:8 says, "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." I'm so glad you and Nick are putting this verse into practice -- what a difference it will make in your lives and in your marriage. What a beautiful photo of your wedding! I'm going to see if I can copy it to my computer. I'm sorry to hear you haven't felt well, Rachel; hope you are on the mend soon.
Mom Jones
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