This is beautiful. Thank you. Reminds me a little of how Tim and Kathy Keller write in "The Meaning of Marriage." Kathy says something about how we should be looking for a "lump of clay" instead of a finished masterpiece. God uses marriage to help us grow and become more holy and whole - in a slow story - but it does require the courage to face our wounds - lovingly say "no" to enmeshment - and tend to the pain underneath the conflicts. "Will you leave me like my dad left my mom? I am afraid of admitting this to you...will you tend to this gently?...let's be honest with each other...and also forgive each other." It is painful at first, but becoming people who walk in the light with integrity, grace, and compassion (by Jesus' grace) gives so much hope. "Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope; and hope does not put us to shame..." (Romans 5).
God in his infinite wisdom knew who to pair me with. It might even be because of our individual broken parts that he has mercifully allowed us to walk along side each other. Thank you Sam for helping me see that when she comes to me with her fragility she is not criticizing me and I don’t have to self protect by putting up a wall but rather I need to move toward her and be vulnerable too
This is beautiful. Thank you. Reminds me a little of how Tim and Kathy Keller write in "The Meaning of Marriage." Kathy says something about how we should be looking for a "lump of clay" instead of a finished masterpiece. God uses marriage to help us grow and become more holy and whole - in a slow story - but it does require the courage to face our wounds - lovingly say "no" to enmeshment - and tend to the pain underneath the conflicts. "Will you leave me like my dad left my mom? I am afraid of admitting this to you...will you tend to this gently?...let's be honest with each other...and also forgive each other." It is painful at first, but becoming people who walk in the light with integrity, grace, and compassion (by Jesus' grace) gives so much hope. "Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope; and hope does not put us to shame..." (Romans 5).
Thank you.
Amy thank you so much. And what you’ve written here is beautiful as well! I agree. It’s such a privilege to “grow up” in marriage. All is grace.
God in his infinite wisdom knew who to pair me with. It might even be because of our individual broken parts that he has mercifully allowed us to walk along side each other. Thank you Sam for helping me see that when she comes to me with her fragility she is not criticizing me and I don’t have to self protect by putting up a wall but rather I need to move toward her and be vulnerable too
You are clearly doing the work Jim! Well done! And yes, God writes it all.
I’m a big fan of you! I believe in you!
Stephen, I am always so grateful for your generous heart. You are a good man. Thank you for these words!
You are so welcome. Yes, it's hard work but rewarding to help each other grow up.