10 years

Well, we had an anniversary this week! Yep, we've been married 10 years now. Whew. Seems like forever, seems like yesterday.
I feel like I've learned a few things in the last ten years though. Some of the stuff is normal stuff to learn once you're married. Like how to work through disagreements well, etc. Some things, however, were a bit of a surprise. Good things though.

It really rocked my world when a couple in our church broke up. There was a bit of scandal involved too. Rumor had it that he had his eye on a another guys wife in the church. Yes... oh man. Well, meetings were had, and this woman assured everyone, strongly, that, yes, they were friends, but nothing was going on. A week or so later she left her husband for this guy. Yeah.
Now, with some people, you can kinda see it coming. Larry said he could see it. But I didn't. I really respected this lady. And the guy (who she ran off with) had been a decently good friend of Larry's, and seemed like such a committed husband. Then one day, it's all gone. Poof. Both marriages, in shattered pieces.

What I learned.

You are never, ever, safe. Anyone can do this. It's one small decisions at at time. One thought, looks like nothing, then, one action, still, so mild, you excuse it. Then, the whole thing begins to snow ball. And before you even know it, you, yes, you have done the unthinkable. The thing to preached to others about. The thing that you said to yourself "no, not me, never me..." Then, it's all a memory. The act is done.

We must be diligent with our marriages. The devil will take every opportunity to attack our minds. The bible says to take every thought captive. I personally am guilty of needing to do this. Seriously. It freaks me out. Just because you're married, doesn't mean that other people don't hold appeal. You have to make choices. Cause, yeah. The fireworks aren't always there. *shock* uh huh. Choices. And I hope and pray that Larry and I will continue to be aware of these things. To make the right choices. To fight the good fight.

It was very unnerving realizing my own humanity in this issue. This amazing lady did it. So could I. I pray often that God will give us wisdom. Deepen our love. I guess, like they say, keeping Christ at the center is the key. Really.

Marriage is work. Yes, being single might even be easier. But, that's not the point is it? Hmmm...

So pray for us friends. Pray God's blessing on us. His hand, His love, His life. Personally, we have it pretty good. We're honest with each other. Share openly. Love openly. There's lot's of trash that has passed behind us, with God's help, we've worked it through and found victory and love. Yeah, it's been good. But, I realize now, that we all need prayer. We must have God in the mix. So, pray for us.

Another thing I learned. Marriage isn't all about me. *shock, again* Nope. Perhaps, this is our mission field. This is picking up our cross. Our sacrifice for Christ. I've spoken to so many friends about this. So many find that they've gotten more then they bargained for. Brokenness, hurt, a past. But, what if... This marriage isn't just for my happiness. But to mend, and tend to this brokenhearted lamb that the Lord sent into my life. You know. I bet when we get to Heaven, that the Lord won't excuse our bad behavior and sin in our marriage, because of that "jerk you were married to". Not to say that He doesn't have grace for our circumstances. But our actions, are still just that. Our actions. And we're each accountable for that. Still gotta learn this... lol Well, all that I've spoken about, gotta learn it!!

Anyways, just some anniversary thoughts. Good times, learning times. Blessed times. Thankful that the Lord sent me on this journey. I've become so much more of the person that I wanted to be, but couldn't have been without Larry in my life. I've truly married an amazing man. Thanks God!!

Later all! Go kiss your spouse :P