September 24, 2023 at 6:10am, sunrise entry:
The crickets and street lights are unaware that morning has arrived. The haze over the hills is like a drowsy sleep with heavy eyelids refusing to open and let in the sunlight. The distant highway hums with drivers anxious to be home in their beds after a grievous graveyard shift, while the opposite lane of traffic rushes to beat the tardy penalties of the day.
Birds are starting to wake with the gradual brightening of the sky. It’s tricky how the light sneaks up on you, as if the birds are actually calling out to the new day, “All clear!”
What creature is making that sound? Is it clicking? Chirping? Peculiar is what it is.
On this morning twelve years ago I awoke to the greeting of my wedding day with excited anticipation. Sweet memories of the day flood my thoughts as I wait for the light of this new day to arrive.
It’s been twelve years of love, friendship, laughter, tears, grit and perseverance . . . learning his preferences, habits and love languages . . . trying, failing, and trying again. Giving up is not an option.
Twelve years of trying to make him laugh, binge watching our favorite shows, date nights and dinners on the couch. Sacrificing sleep for the babies. Sacrificing sleep for the teen.
Twelve years of parenting together . . . in sickness and in health . . . whether runny noses or cancer, the dedication is the same. Love is the motivator.
Caring and Compromise.
Twelve years of battling selfish temptations, and laying down my individual desires in order to hold onto our chosen love together. Forgiveness when the effort is not reciprocated.
Clinging to scripture and the faithfulness of our heavenly Father, trusting His grace to be sufficient.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
God’s morning mercies sustaining us and His promise of good helping us get through the days.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV
Thank you, Jesus, for my husband. I regularly recognize the ways you’ve made us complement each other in our strengths and in our weaknesses. Please continue to give me the daily willingness to build Adam up, even when his opinions or preferences differ from my own.
Lord, you are the reason I choose love.
You have chosen me. You have loved me first, and given me the gift of eternity with you. How could I respond in any other way but gratitude and love? Thank you for the opportunity to love you by loving my husband. Please show him favor throughout his days. Provide protection from the enemy’s attacks and cover his thoughts in your truth and promises.
Be glorified in our marriage, Lord. We choose you.
In Jesus’ mighty, powerful, precious name I pray these things.
Amen.
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