Mawage. Mawage is Wot Bwings us Togeder Tooday.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

A little ditty my songbird Macy and I have been singing lately has got me thinking about all the ways that God has changed me over the years.  I bet you know it, but in case you don’t know these sweet little words…
“He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. 
It took six days to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the Earth, Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be!  He’s still working on me!”

It’s been a little messy at times.  Not usually pretty, usually painful, but always God doing the work and the changing. I’m well aware that left to my own devises I would have had the least bit of interest in personal betterment or the Self Help section at Borders.  Well, ok, I still don’t go to the Self Help section, but you get my drift.  Fifteen years ago I was only interested in fun, escape, adventure, experiencing life, and doing whatever I could find to do that made me feel good.  Fast forward…am I even recognizable? Thinking back on a few of the most recent conversations I’ve had with friends, I had to stop and have a good laugh at myself.  I have gleefully discussed the fine topics of labeling, organizing, homeschooling curriculums, steam mops, biblical counseling, and submission. Unrelated to the topic at hand, I also had an interesting conversation with the above mentioned songstress about why we cannot (or rather, WILL not) insert the words “my little poopoo” into the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”.  Well, perhaps not entirely unrelated.
All of this leads me to an interesting train of thought: I am not the same woman that my husband married! I KNOW!  Hold the phone, right? What reasons does my husband have to love, or even like, the “new” me?  In the bigger picture, how do marriages that didn’t start out on the firm foundation of Christ, not only survive the nuclear blast that a new life in Christ brings, but succeed in growing together in new ways and even falling in love all over again with the same person – who isn’t the same anymore? 
I’m very blessed and thankful that God has performed massive surgery in my life and also in the life of my husband.  He is not who he was either.  It didn’t all happen at the same time, and many years were spent in half hearted attempts to be Godly without true heart surrender.  How comforting to know that we will both continue to change for the GOOD, and that as we face each new season of our marriage, God has provided a means for us to find new appreciation and new love for each other.  But, how did we make it through some of these crises of change? And not just make it through, but be stronger and more unified?
It occurs to me that three things have been lasting points of personal protocol for me in any given situation that poses a threat to my marriage, as well as any other conflict I encounter.  First, NO BUTS! I examine my own responsibility; I choose not to make excuses for my own behavior, no BUTS.  If I were standing before my Judge right now, no one else’s actions are going to be admissible in court. Only mine.  Ask for forgiveness if appropriate.  Again, no “buts”.
Second, don’t expect people to be anything other than what they are.  A wolf is a wolf, a child is a child, a manipulator manipulates, and Satan is always a liar.   It isn’t fair to expect a child to act like an adult, and it is equally foolish to be shocked and personally offended when a sinner, sins. 
Third, determine what I really believe.  I find that no matter what the situation is, my questions and answers will be the same; I simply need to be reminded and refocused.  Do I believe that God is who He says He is?  That He can do what He says He can do?  That He is GOOD and not only can, but wants to work good in all circumstances?  Do I really believe that earthly failure may be NO reflection at all of heavenly gain through obedience?  When I ask myself these questions (and more), my priorities change from being self centered, to being God centered, and I find that committing to acting rightly in a given circumstance has less to do with getting my way or making things right – and more to do with trusting my Heavenly Father to be exactly who He tells me that I can EXPECT for Him to be. 
So, what do I expect for my marriage in the future?  I expect that we will continue to change. I expect to always need to put forth effort.  I am committed to being the kind of wife that the Word of God is teaching me to be.  I  HOPE that my husband can find it in himself to fall in love anew each day with the nerdy, office supply loving, Bible thumpin’, kid toting, homebody - which I’ve become.    Well, I think I’ve always loved office supplies.  Nothing new there.

“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!”  2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)

Friday, January 14, 2011 | | 0 Comments  

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