The love of a man for his wife can only be as great as his love for the Lord is deep and real and true.

Making me greatly loved for all I am. My good, and even my bad.

With a love that blesses and soothes in ways I cannot count.  Countless points of love touching my life, flooding my soul, refreshing my heart.

In the quiet things done for me when no one save The One is looking.

And the long hours of prayer which cover me like a comforter, downy warm.

Gentle teachings from God’s Word.

And that certain soft look in his eyes that I have seen not only in moments of sheer bliss, but in the harder times, too.

For all of this and so much more, there are no earthly words with which to utter profound enough thanks.

Only humble, hushed gratitude lived out daily…

I thank my God always concerning you, Michael, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus
1 Corinthians 1:4

But in those moments after darkness, when for a time I have chosen to shut my eyes to the Light, I am especially grateful for a man who loves and serves Jesus Christ above himself.

A man who lays down his life for me, to present me without spot, wrinkle or blemish before a Holy God.

Moments when I haven’t done my best, when I’ve disappointed both God and husband. These are the beautiful moments, when I see with heart wrenching clarity, the love of Christ in the words and actions of the man whose name I bear.

After years of progressively moving forward, I chide myself when sin prevails, though blotted clear by crimson.

Cringing to admit that my fallen humanness sometimes leads me down an unholy path, tripping over self, stumbling into a dark pit.

And then the love of this one, good, godly man extends a hand to me in sheer Grace, lifting me up, helping me regain perspective, while admonishing where needed.

Reaching across the breach, reassuring me.

Pulling me close so I can see the Light again, recognize my worth…

In Christ.

Lamenting over my poor choices while trusting in Perfect Love.

Coupling repentance with forgiving myself, and reaffirming the true desire of my heart which is to be good.

 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48

Brushing myself off after forgiveness asked and received, and the issue talked all through.

Pulling up by the bootstraps and purposing to block out the lies of satan which taunt, “You’ll never get this right.”

Choosing to believe the truth about myself, that I am precious to the Lord, that He died to save me {all of us!} from my sins, that He is building me from the inside out, that He will always love me.

And then, continuing on…

Awash in the light of His love, surrounded by Holy Grace.

Moving forward in the strength of the Lord, until the work on earth is done, job finished well.

Filling up leaking places in the foundation with Word that seals in hope, cemented by a love so strong and deep that nothing can destroy it.

Washed by the water of His Word.  Made water tight again.

Resting in the Lord, who is forever always with me, trusting His love that never changes.

Not ever.  No matter what.

 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Seeing a shadow of this Perfect Love in one imperfect man, perfect for me.

And me for him.

Helping each other to grow up in the Lord as we make our way each day along a journey of a thousand miles — littered here and there with glitches and gravel — to His happily ever after…

Hope is restored!

All is not lost!

Jesus lives!

And by His grace, and with a wise and patient husband’s love, I am one day closer to being a little more like Him…

In Jesus name.

~sheila