Pieces of love along the way

I knew nothing of love, real love, until I allowed the heart of Christ to resonate and surrendered my own heart to Him.  The desire for marriage did not come until after this and I am ever thankful that this also was by His design.

What I now know of love I have uncovered, like shiny trinkets once buried along the path I walk hand in hand with my husband.

Could I once have thought that marriage was a 50/50 proposition?  I have learned that each must contribute 100 percent, all for all.

Could I once have thought that a husband would complete me?  I have learned that what we must do is offer our broken selves to our Lord, and in His hands He knits us together with Himself at the centre.  That it is our incompleteness that drives us again and again into His arms, right where we belong.

Could I have once thought that marriage was about receiving love?  I have learned that I feel the most joy when I am able to fully give love.

Perhaps the prayer attributed to Saint Francis can best express the sparkling gems of truth the Lord has allowed me to collect.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Broken, yes, but in Your hands, I thank You Lord for the man You chose to walk with me along a road that brings us ever closer to Your heart.  Splintered, fragmented even shattered at times, still I have found unspeakable joy.

Jamming  this week with Bonnie as she asked what we wish we had known about marriage.

and linking with others both broken and imperfect at Emily's.