Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net
Today is June 1, our 43rd anniversary. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe that someone who’s only 50 years old can have been married for 43 years, but what can I say–it’s a miracle! (Ahem…ahem…)
Seriously, I can’t believe we’ve been married 43 years. I’m the first to say I’m very blessed. Gary is a committed, faithful husband and a tender, loving daddy and PaPa. And I’d love to tell you that I’ve been a perfect wife and have always been exactly who Gary needed me to be. But I can’t. To be honest, I bulldozed my way through the first 15 years of our marriage.
When God began His work in me and our marriage, He began with His Word. For the first time, I really studied His Word and applied its teachings to my life. Soon the book of Proverbs became my constant friend. Through visuals and pithy little quotes, it taught me about relationships, consequences, and comparisons. It taught me how to be a wife. These are a few of the Proverbs God emblazoned in my heart and on my mind:
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 12:4
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Proverbs 11:22
My goodness–decaying bones and a pig’s snout? Who wants to be compared to those? My life and our relationship was changed through the power of God’s Word.
But God’s Word isn’t just for learning about being a good wife or husband or parent. We must study and learn how to apply it to our lives as writers and speakers. We must learn about relationships, consequences, and comparisons:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. Proverbs 16:21
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Proverbs 16:23
And of course, as we study and prepare and look to the future, we must remember:
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
God’s Word is clear that we must do our part to be what He wants us to be. We must constantly search our hearts as we mature in our relationship with Him. But regardless of what we do, we have to remember that He–alone–is in control.
I pray His blessings on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
(Happy anniversary, Honey!)
(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)
