Showing posts with label husband. Show all posts
Showing posts with label husband. Show all posts

09 May 2012

Random but listening

Random thoughts spin, hover and take flight
focus seems all but impossible
there is much I want to share
but it seems like I'm pulling words out of a paper bag
my thoughts look like a ransom note...

The first asparagus are pushing their way out of the ground.  Last year Faith realized how delicious they are and now we are trying to teach her that she may not eat them before we get a chance to pick them.

It's my wedding anniversary today -- 12 years ago my life became wrapped with Rick's around the core of God's love -- here again are words I wrote a few years back:

Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." Let me take a bit of creative license here and say: "Why do I thank God for Rick? Let me count the ways."
  • Rick loves God above all else. That keeps his other priorities aligned.
  • Rick is not afraid to say "I'm sorry"
  • Rick has the same quirky sense of humour I do. We laugh often.
  • Rick is a lifelong learner.
  • Rick is quick to encourage and support me in whatever I believe God is asking me to do.
  • Rick's bag of tricks, his knowledge and abilities fill in the gaps and compliment my own.
  • Rick has a heart that has been kneaded, molded and softened by the Lord.
  • Rick always finds new ways to surprise me with his kindness.
  • Rick handles our finances with skill and Kingdom mindedness.
  • Rick is Rick! He is exactly who God created him to be but open to the Lord's ongoing and never ending work in his life. God is taking him from glory to glory, and I get to come along for the ride.

I know without any shadow of doubt that God had His hand upon every detail of my life-to-be with Rick. If you haven't heard the story of our first face-to-face meeting you can click over and read it here.

The rains have stopped for a bit - leaving the new overgrown spring grass dry enough to cut.  I shall spend some time this afternoon riding in circles on my garden tractor,  the first mow of the new year. I will worship, and I will pray, and allow the Lord to whisper His mysteries into my heart.


Seeing Him in all that surrounds me and sharing with Jennifer and the rest
 

10 February 2012

Love came late

Love came late, hard
not a babe, no, fully formed.
With so much time already wasted
Yahweh-jireh, the One Who provided
urged me to jump, dive in deep
unwrap the gift of my beloved
the man He chose, sealed as mine.
Here am I still, submerged
giddy with wonder, joy
untying ribbons to learn more each day
the secrets of who Rick is
who I am
and Who He Is
Who brought me to this moment
lovesick in time.

 
Joining Bonnie as we unwrap love this month

 

07 February 2012

My true romance...

I have a confession to make. Here, among friends I can trust, I need to be open and transparent. Today, while  we are talking about romance, I will be brave:

My husband Rick does not have sole ownership of my heart. My thoughts stray.   There is another romance that invades my thoughts, sleeping and waking.  Yes, my mind wanders, in dreams and in visions.

I can see myself walking beside another, reaching out to grasp his hand as our legs step in unison. We are on a windswept beach, or in a meadow, or climbing rolling hills. I look into his eyes and know that they gaze directly into my heart. There is nothing he cannot see and in that knowledge of total exposure comes unexpected freedom. I have nothing to hide. I am simply who I am, and loved despite my faults. He knows my questions before I ask and answers with wisdom and truth. He is the one I come to with my fears and my sorrows. I pour myself out in his presence and he picks me up and puts me back together.

He doesn’t mind that am I married to Rick, in fact, he has blessed our union. Yet he continues to make plans for another wedding. A feast. A celebration unlike any ever known before. He himself will be the bridegroom and his desire is for me to be a perfect, spotless bride.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready Revelation 19:7 NIV

I am awestruck that he would choose me. I am lovesick. This One, this Jesus, has captivated me and He is my Lord.

Who has ownership of your heart today? If you have not given all of yourself to Christ, try it today. You will soon discover that you have more to give to your husband and to your marriage as well.


Joining Peter Pollock and the rest of the crowd where the word is romance.

 

03 December 2011

Home, yes home

Home
scent of familiarity
a place to let go
it seems my body
recognizes the safety
of this place
and after struggling
to hold together
I break down
into the arms
of those I trust
my husband
and my God

Both will love me
through the picking up
of tattered pieces
the regaining of strength
the coming back
to myself

Home
I am here

 

09 June 2011

The "one" 110 percent sure

Bonnie asked us to write about Finding the "one" 

Because I've been short on time today, I'm reposting the story of my first face-to-face with my beloved after God had forged our connection online.

Departing Toronto PearsonImage via Wikipedia

My bags were packed; plans were made for my mother to drive me to the airport. It was the night before my flight, and there was nothing left to do but talk with Rick on the phone and sleep. I was excited, but also nervous and listening yet again to fear and doubt, words that were not coming from the mouth of God.

“What if you decide I'm too ugly” I asked “I'm scared. I'm sure of God but not sure of me.”

“Why don't you take a tranquilizer or sleeping pill if you have one” he said. “You need to get some rest tonight and not worry so. Unless you develop Elephant Man disease overnight, there is nothing to worry about.”

Somehow his words and the time we spent in prayer together soothed me and I was able to get a little bit of sleep. I rose ready to face whatever the Lord was about to do.

When my mother was dropping me off at the airport, she asked “Are you going to come back married?”

“Maybe so” I answered, not wanting to admit that we had already planned for that.

“Will you call when you get there, to let us know you're safe?”

“Of course I will Mom, and don't worry.” A quick hug and kiss goodbye and I walked into the airport terminal and a new beginning.

Once the plane had reached cruising altitude I did what came naturally. I pulled out my journal and began to write:

“It is so bright up here in God's light. Surrounded by the light this morning on the first part of journey. But.. I have had His light around me for weeks now. I am so sure of Him, in a way I had not previously felt.

Oh my precious Father, what new words can I find to praise You? How to best let Your name be glorified? Let Your light shine through me, Lord, for every living soul to see Your reflection in me.

I ask for guidance this morning Father, trusting that You will lead me where You want me, but not quite trusting myself. Let me not chase after my own desires, but continue to seek what You desire of me.”

The time spent in prayer and reflection soothed my spirit. Stashing the journal back in my carry on, I was ready for the plane to land and to walk into the arms of the man who waited for me.

I stood in the immigration services line with my passport, thinking it odd that Canada was a foreign country. When I was called to the desk, the officer asked me “What is the purpose of your visit, business or pleasure?”

“Pleasure. Definitely pleasure” I replied, while thinking “and about my Father's business”

The officer stamped my passport and I was free to retrieve my bags when they came around on the carousel. The two suitcases were bulky and hard to handle and I felt foolish for packing so much.

One more line to wait in for the customs agent, who simply took my declaration card and said “Welcome to Canada” and I walked through the doors to find Rick, wearing the hat he said he would wear so I would recognize him, just in case he looked different than his picture.

After weeks of imagining what it would feel like, I was held tight in his embrace. Then he whispered very clearly in my ear “a hundred and ten percent, baby.”

I remembered his words to his pastor when he had asked Rick how he could be so sure I was the right woman for him. “I'm 99 percent sure now. When I meet her at the airport I'll be a hundred percent sure.”

“Hundred and ten, eh?” I laughed, feeling every bit of apprehension drain from my being. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be, at last.

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Jamming with Bonnie - come join us Here

16 May 2011

Talking Marriage at The Cafe

I have a story I would just love to tell you. It’s about the evening a stranger showed up in our yard selling fish from the back of his truck. I would really, really enjoy letting you know all about what happened when Rick went out to have a look. But I can’t. I simply can’t.

I have chosen to make our marriage a haven, a refuge where my husband can dwell.....

 
 
read the rest of the story HERE at the Internet Cafe Devotions Marriage Counter where its my turn to pour.

09 May 2011

Living in love

To celebrate our anniversary as man and wife, I share words I wrote eleven years ago:

Wedding Day Thoughts

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him"
1 John 4:16

Today is the day I shall be joined in marriage with the partner God has chosen for me. He is all around me and all around Rick and all around all who choose to love Him.

Rick & I are but living works of God. He has watched us from the beginning. Learning to walk, learning to fall, learning to stand and try again. He let us choose so many partners, all of them wrong, but each with lessons to teach us.

He has, in the way only He can, led us here to the moment when we will stand side by side and become one, joined each to each and both to Him. What a waterfall of blessings! What an awesome God we serve!

Father God, as I take this new step, let me always recall who composed this symphony. Let me always thank You. Let me always praise You. All glory to You, all glory to Jesus, all glory to the Holy Spirit that fills, and fills and fills me today.



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28 April 2011

Snaps of joy

This week Bonnie asked us to share a photo journey of joy.  There is so much.  Yes, everything that surrounds me.  For are we not exhorted:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NLT

So for the road He sets before me

and the one He chose to walk beside me

for the generations that will follow
there is joy!

For expressions of His unconditional love

the softness of His touch

His glory both fragile

and majestic
I give thanks and rejoice.

For time to meditate on Who He Is

in scenes of silent beauty

that lead me back to all that is important
I rejoice.  Joy, indeed.  Unspeakable joy!



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Jamming with Bonnie today - come join us HERE


07 March 2011

I'm Pouring today at Internet Cafe Devotions

Some things are not worth bickering about - but other times it is wisest to "agree to agree"
Stop by Internet Cafe Devotions to read more.

27 December 2010

I'm pouring at Internet Cafe Devotions today

  • Is there one new thing you have learned about your spouse?
  • Is the Lord asking you to leave some things behind as the year ends, not carrying them forward into the future? 
  • Are there any changes you feel the Lord prompting you to make in the new year?

Come on over to Internet Cafe Devotions where I'm talking about ringing in the new while reviewing the year that's ending. 

I have suggestions for questions you can ask yourself and your spouse as together you rejoice in all that has come before and seek the Lord for His plans for 2011.

22 November 2010

Covenant

I'm pouring out about about covenant today at the Marriage Counter at Internet cafe Devotions.




Stop by for a cup and while you're there check out what some of our others writers are sharing.



19 November 2010

Drifting

If you had only heard the reported amount of snowfall yesterday you would not have believed what the world looked like around us last night and this morning.

Rick's truck didn't make it home yesterday, sliding to a stop across our gravel road about half a mile from the house.

The drifting continued along with new snow through the night. Rick phoned in to work to say "If you want me there, you're going to have to come get me" and we were both surprised when they did just that!

I never went out, even to take pictures, preferring the warmth inside. The picture above is another day, another year. I used the day to to try to write, with NaNoWriMo and an article on deadline for the Marriage Counter at Internet Cafe Devotions.

I sat to type, my head pounded. I got up to look out at the snow. My head pounded. I read emails, I looked at the snow. I wrote a few words. My head pounded. I chatted on the phone. I wept before the Lord. My head pounded. I read some blogs and prayed about the state of our yard. I got up to look out the window at the snow. Outside and inside, drifting continued. A friend prayed on the phone about my headache. I ate some cheese. I wrote the words God provided.

A neighbor arrived to plow and blow snow, working to clear the yard. Rick was delivered home, safe and sound and is back outside shoveling what can't be plowed.

Inside I remain, headache still hanging around on the fringes. More words will come as He wills. I am warm. I am sheltered. I am blessed.

And drifting continues.

09 November 2010

Tuesdays Unwrapped - Loving support

A word, a touch, a knowing glance, all these from the man who shares my life and knows me better than anyone else who walks the earth. He is the one who grounds me by reminding me to set my focus on the rock.

When I am scattered he helps me find my centre.
When I am battered by arrows flung by the enemy, he fights for me in prayer.
He makes me believe I can be better than I think I am.

Today I am unwrapping the gift of Rick, my beloved husband, the one who reminds me to breathe in the life Christ died to grant me. My prayer is that I offer him the same.
Stop by Emily's Chatting at the Sky to see what others are unwrapping today,

28 October 2010

Speak Lord - I'm listening

Years ago I received a precious gift from the Lord. I could be anywhere at all and suddenly hear the sound of chimes, a silvery flicker, a shimmering sound, just on the edge of my natural senses. After acknowledging the sound I would sense a word, a phrase, a message in my spirit. Once this had happened a few times I realized that I would hear the sound when the Lord had something to share with me.

Lord, You used to call me
with a ring
and I would answer
"here am I"
like picking up the telephone
or opening the door.

Did I grow too accustomed
or familiar?
Did I begin to rely on the gift
instead of the Giver?
Or was it simply time
to remove the easy access
the familiar gate
that had made me lazy?

You have not stopped speaking
but more often than not
You wait until I ask.

I hear you in the breeze
the beat of my heart
the scratching of a pen on crisp pages of my journal
the sky streaming golden at day's end
the warmth of a house shut tight against the wind
my husband's "I love you."
In the "yes, Yes, YES" that rises in my spirit
when I read Your love letter
written for me, for all of Your children
eternal promises.

I will seek. I will wait. I will listen still.
But speak Lord.

And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel answered, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening 1 Samuel 3:10 Amplified

I'm double linking today at:
Stop by Bonnie's Faith Barista and see what others have to share about hearing the Lord.

visit Emily at In the Hush of the Moon for more words imperfect

25 October 2010

I'm talking marriage again at Internet Cafe Devotions

Marriage is serious business, yet God also intended it to be a source of joy. We can often get so caught up in the trials and struggles of day to day life that we forget to take time to breathe, let alone enjoy ourselves.

When’s the last time you just let go and played with your spouse?

Come on over to the Marriage Counter at Internet Cafe Devotions where I'm pouring out advice about lightening up a little...
While you're there check out the Fall Into Jesus Giveaway