Monday, July 16, 2007
19 years and Still Counting...
Ephesians5:22-33 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
I love these verses because they so clearly explain the role and job of the husband and wife in a marriage. I can honestly say that my husband has truly loved me like these verses command. He has put aside his own desires so many times, so that he could show love for me. He has been a servant leader and loved me sacrificially. I am very thankful for him, especially today as we celebrate our 19th anniversary.
We met when I was home from college one summer and he was out of school. He played on a guy's softball team for our church at the time and I was at the game with a guy-friend to watch another guy(all of these were friends) play ball. I met Mike and we talked for just a minute. He was really nice. I was kinda sorta in a relationship with a baseball player from the University of Arkansas. But, it was not marriage serious...more just fun dating. I did a lot of that before marriage! I, also, see the wrongness of that lifestyle now...(just had to add that). After we met, I had no idea at the time, that Mike had been asking some local guys about me...he was playing golf one day with some folks and trying to be really discreet asked of the young men about me...it was so funny, because Mark said, yeah, I know her...she 's my sister's best friend. Talk about embarrassing...well, of course the word got back to me that Mike was interested. Such silly and fun days! Anyway, we met again at a softball game and this time he asked if we could go get a coke after the game. We did and visited a little bit...enough to know we really liked eachother and wanted to get to know eachother better. The rest of that summer, we spent lots of time together. Then it was time for me to go back to the University of Arkansas, live in the Kappa house, join back in the social life, see the baseball player again...It was all terrible. Mike and I missed eachother a lot...had very high phone bills(this was before cell phones!) I was not into the college scene anymore. I realized that most of the fraternity guys I was around were not marriage material at all and nothing like Mike. Isn't it nice when the Lord shows you *the one*...no one else compares to him.
Mike asked my dad if he could propose and at Christmas time that year, Mike asked me to be his wife. I said yes! I transferred from the U of A, began college locally and we got married the following summer.
When you put 2 sinful people together, it can be rough...and I have to admit, the first year of marriage was terrible. I was selfish and immature...I had no clue how to be married and live Biblically with my husband. I was insecure and needy and only thought of myself. Although the honeymoon was in a beautiful spot, St. Thomas...it was awful, too. Mainly because of me! I was sick that week from beginning birth control pills. This was my only experience with birth control and let me tell you, never again! I cried and wanted to go home, I threw up all week, I could not see through my contacts, I was a mess. I think Mike was thinking, what have I done??? We laugh about it now, because everything was so funny from that first week of marriage! I even had a local island cat attack me...it was just hysterical! But, we made it through those days...by God's grace.
When I look back on those years, I see a young woman receiving a gift she did not deserve...a husband who was going to truly love her. I have always felt undeserving of him. I know now, it was all part of God's plan to grow me in Him. Through our marriage, we have learned many things and we still are learning. God has worked in our hearts to make us see the importance of knowing God and walking in His ways. We have learned to forgive eachother, lay aside our own wants and desires, and to esteem the other person is more important than ourselves. I have learned the importance of the role of a Biblical wife...to submit as unto the Lord. I still am not perfect and my sinfulness shows its ugliness at times in our marriage still today, but God has shown me in His Word, His plan for me and I want my life to be characterized by obeying His Word. It really is better to do things God's way. God knows what is best...sometimes we think we do. Well, a lot of times we think we do.
So, Happy Anniversary, Mike! You have been and continue to be a wonderful loving husband and father. I love the days when we are just *hanging out*(private joke) I am praying for us today...that God would continue to make us His instruments and that our marriage can be a ministry to others...that we would be faithful through all of our days, first to the Lord, and then to eachother. I am greatly blessed by being your wife.
It is also very fitting to add that we have updated our adoption website. You can go here to read our most recent update and see where we are in this long process to our daughter in China. How wonderful that on our 19th anniversary, we can celebrate a child soon to be ours.
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
39 Comments:
Happy Anniversary guys!
Wow ~ 19 years together!! Congratulations. Hope you have fun spending time together today, and all week. (Celebrations like that should lost longer than one day, right?!)
Loved seeing your wedding photo! I think your husband looks the same today as he did back then ~ very handsome. You look different though ~ "better" different. You are just beautiful! =)
What a beautiful post! You are a reflection of how marriage should be. I read your adoption update too. I'm so excited for all of you! You have so much to look forward to in this new chapter.
I was thinking today as I read your post what a great testimony your blog is and how exciting to think that someone who does not know Christ may be reading. I love thinking about that, how seeds may be being planted in someone's heart.
What a joyous blessing to see a marriage that reflects God and his glorious goodness!!! Happy anniversary :)
I love your story. Christ is woven into every thread of your life together and it is so very evident!
Thanks for sharing!
Happy anniversry! And I love those family pictures on the adoption website!
Happy Anniversary, Kim and Mike!
I love this post, Kim. You set a perfect example of how marriage should be while being honest that it's tough sometimes, but always worth it.
I love the pictures!
Happy Anniversary! What a great story of how you met, and testimony of God greatness in your marriage! It brought tears to my eyes!!!
I loved that post. So honest. I think many people experience the first years of marriage like that! Happy 19th, you two!
Happy, happy Anniversary to you both!
Your post is just beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Your heart to do the will of God in your marriage is an absolute inspiration!
What a beautiful post of how God works in and through us to make us into what He has in mind! Just beautiful!!
Happy Anniversary!!!!
Happy Anniversary. Y'all really haven't changed all that much on the outside . . . yet, I know how God uses the years together to change us on the inside.
May you both be blessed with many more years together, especially as you add that precious girl to your family.
Happy Anniversary Kim & Mike! I loved your story - it is an awesome testimony of how God works :)
You too are an adorable couple. Thank you for letting us share your special day!
Happy Anniversary! You have quite the anniversary story!
Your photos are always just gorgeous quality.
Your marriage is an example to all you meet.
Happy Anniversary! May you be blessed with many more special years together.
Blessings,
Lisa
One other thought I wanted to share about your marriage that I have observed only through this blog, and not in person (although it would be great fun to meet you some day!).
We recently participated in a Sunday School class called "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs. It was so good, and I realized today that you are a great example of that! The woman's need is to be loved, and the man's need is to be respected.
If we, as women, don't feel truly loved by our husbands, we won't truly respect them. And because they don't feel we respect them, they don't love us like we long to be loved.
But the flip side is also true ~ when we respect our husbands, they feel affirmed and do their best to love us, making us respect them more. It's a cycle that can work both ways ~ good or bad.
Thank you for being such a great example of a Godly Christian marriage!!
Blessings on your Anniversary!
Thanks for sharing your story. On a side note, all of the China girls we are around are such amazing little creatures! They are such a great testimony of the sovreign Hand of God and they bless us so much! I can't wait to see Lydia and hear of her impact on your family!marley
What a lovely couple you are! Congratulations. Thanks for sharing your story!
Happy Anniversary! Ours was Friday (July 13th)--sixteen years!
Happy Anniversary Kim! I just loved reading this post. I can relate in so many ways! Isn't it wonderful that we were blessed with such amazing husbands who love us, despite our weaknesses? You said it perfectly--Only by God's grace... Blessings on you both! May you continue to have many more years together serving the Lord and growing together in Him!
Happy Anniversary Kim! We were married July 23, 1988, just one week after you! And, I too, have been blessed with a wonderful, loving and godly husband! God is good! Congratulations! Maybe you can go back to St. Thomas for your 20th and have a better time! :-)
Happy Anniversary! God bless you both!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. This is also my anniversary of when I asked Jesus into my heart!
Happy Anniversary, Kim! I loved hearing part of "your" story; finding out how people met, fell in love, and got married is a favorite of mine. Especially when they're still as happy about it as you are. :^)
Happy Anniversary, Kim and Mike!!
Kim, this is such a sweet tribute to Mike and God's faithfulness to you guys. Also a wonderful testimony of God's work in your own heart.
This is the second time you've mentioned the cat attack...now you have to tell the whole story. I can't believe you had such a rough honeymoon!!
Happy, happy anniversary to you and Mike, Kim! I, too, married a man who is such a daily picture of God's grace toward me. I saw myself in so much of your post (well, besides St. Thomas and the cat incident, LOL.) Thank you so much for sharing... reality! May God continue to bless you both richly as you grow in Him and serve one another in love.
Happy Anniversary! Hope you get to spend some special couple time together!
Congrats 19 years that is wonderful!!!
Happy Anniversary!!
This is my first time to your "BEAUTIFUL blog"! I've really enjoyed my time here.
Your testimony of love and God's faithfulness is so touching.
Your family is so beautiful, and I can't imagine how exciting your adoption will be. Ever since I saw Steven Curtis Chapman's video, I feel in love with China!
I know several people who have adopted from there, the children are Wonderful!
Praying for many, many more years together. Coming from someone ahead of you, (been married 30 years in August) I'll just let you know, it only gets BETTER and BETTER!
Keep holding on to Jesus!
Susan
PS I'll be back!
Happy Anniversary Kim and Mike! What a beautiful picture of God's love and grace. This makes me want to give my husband a big kiss! I pray for continued blessing over your marriage, your children and for a safe arrival for your daughter, Lydia. Thank you for sharing this!
God Bless!
Leigh
OH - and I wanted to let you know that I did your meme today. =)
AND - you guys always make the BEST pictures!
Kim,
Happy Anniversary. You are a shining example of God's love, it eminates from your words!
Peace as you wait for Lydia, God is so faithful and good. He has her in the palm of His hand.
You are beautiful!
Sue
Try your email. I sent my reply AGAIN! Crazy computers! Let me know if it doesn't come through. Maybe check your bulk?
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful example of marriage in a culture where divorce is so prevelant. May God bless you with many more years!
Happy Anniversary!!
Beautiful post, Kim!
How wonderful! congrats
Happy Anniversary!! May God continue to bless your marriage for many more!! You are such an encouragement to so many and a true reflection of godly wife. Blessings!
Thank you so much, everybody!!!
These sweet comments were so encouraging! I have loved meeting all of you threough this crazy blogging adventure!!!
You have really blessed me.
Thank you!
Kim
Happy anniversary! Such a beautiful post...and such a wonderful testimony of God's blessings and grace.
Congratulations! You are so beautiful as is your testimony. ((hug)) heather
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