Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Eight Years Ago



Eight years ago today my life irrevocably changed. That was the day I married Krista, and in many ways it was one of the most significant, altering and important days of my life. Since it is our eighth anniversary, I thought I would share eight things I have learned from Krista since getting married.

1) Faith. I honestly don't know anyone who has a greater gift of faith in God. She really believes anything he says. She believes he can do more than we ask or imagine. And because she believes, I have started to grow and understand faith better. She has taught me how to have faith in God in a way I did not think was possible... what I mean is not faith that he exists, I already had that... but faith to do the things that he asks of us, even when they seem impossible.

2) Faithfulness. The Bible says that "perfect love casts out fear." Krista has taught me the meaning of that, too. When I met Krista I was paranoid about being ditched in relationships. She has taught me what it means to be a loyal and steadfast friend (and spouse). I never worry about Krista leaving me, no matter the situation. She is not that kind of person. She is unwaveringly faithful. It is a great gift from God that she is so loyal, faithful, and loving.

3) Fashion. I am not going to try to make this list start all with "F's" but it is working out that way. Krista buys my clothes. In addition to being an enormous relief, I am a much snappier dresser than I was back in the day. Of course, she still has to work with the limitations of what I am willing to wear. But believe me, I look better.

4) Love. I know, this sounds like a corny thing to say. But I mean it in more ways than I could adequately express here. For one thing, she has taught me the marvelous blessings available when we choose to remain in purposeful relationship with another human being. But I've also learned from watching the ways she interacts with our daughters, or the little things she does to show me that she cares.

5) Fancy food. No, really. I'm quite the gormand after marrying my lovely wife.

6) Self-improvement. One of the things I love about Krista is the way she shows her care by being honest about the people around her. She tells it like it is, even when it is painful, because of two things: 1) She doesn't tell lies and 2) She cares too much to let people live as less than what they are capable of becoming. Krista has lovingly shown me my own shortcomings so that I could become a better person. And I am profoundly grateful for that.

7) The power and voice of God. When I first met Krista I thought God spoke in a very narrow, defined way. I didn't believe that he could or would speak outside of the contextual, precise meaning of the Bible. I have since found a richness of relationship with him that comes merely from realizing that he can (and does) speak when I am praying, from nature, via the Holy Spirit when I am reading the Bible and a lot of other ways. This alone is a lesson that has revolutionized my life.

8) Who I can be. I have already alluded to this, but Krista has made me acutely aware of the better person that I can be. I think this is partly because I am a better person already just by having her in my life. She balances my imbalances. She keeps me centered. She points me to Christ by her example.

Krista-- I love you. I am so thankful to have you in my life, and I want you to know that this first eight years is the only beginning. I look forward to the next eighty, if the Lord would be so generous. I'm not going anywhere without you. Wherever you go, I'll be there... "your people will be my people and your God my God." Thank you for the wonderful gift of yourself, and for providing me with my two most precious daughters. You are the most beautiful person in my life. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife. I love you. I can't imagine a life without you ever again. I can scarcely remember the years before we came together... it's like another life, a lesser one. You are my life now, and I am glad to share it with you!

4 comments:

  1. That was so beautiful. Thanks for sharing that with all of us. After reading it, I wish I knew you wife personally (as opposed to, you know, thru blog world).

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  2. Anonymous5:34 PM

    :) happy anniversary! may you be blessed with many more celebrations together....

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  3. I was going to call you on your anniversary until I talked to mom. happy Anniversary! Super jealous on your food...sounds so good (I might even be able to make better on some of those.) Ah Duck confit is one of my favorites!

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