Dear Darren,

Posted on 8 April, 2013 by Laura

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I have made a lot of stupid mistakes these last six years. They’ve been the hardest years of my life to be honest. I’ve had to grow up from a teenager to young women right before you.
There are days I wonder why on earth you chose me and I smile thinking you couldn’t have imaged this. But don’t you think it’s turning out to be pretty great?

It seems like a long time ago that I walked down that aisle with my arm linked to my daddy’s as you waited for me. We said vows that I don’t even remember because that day was a blur, yet a joy-filled one! I think God has poured buckets full of grace into our marriage these last few years. He is the author of marriage and is patient as we learn how to have one that will honor Him and bring glory to His name.

This last Sunday morning we sat by each other in church and on the way home you reassured me about the calling God has placed on your life. How it’s not to be a sailor but that God used this career to provide for our family. I’m honored to have a husband who took a chunk out of his life to serve his country. You are an incredible man.

We fight hard but love deep. We have weathered a lot of storms (some our own making!) and seeing how God brings us closer amazes me.
God has used you to stretch, love, and teach me. I’m really blessed because of you!

It’s not just the things that you do for me, but who you are that I love. A loyal, honest, funny, and quiet man. I wouldn’t want anyone else to do life with. I don’t know that anyone else could understand the depths of my thoughts or the passion that fills my heart for the Lord. You don’t push me aside as though i’m crazy, you nudge me to keep moving forward in my convictions.

You don’t talk enough for my liking but I’m realizing that’s alright. It’s sometimes in the quiet moments that I find myself at rest with you. I know as time goes on i’ll learn to accept that more.
Thank you for being a safe place when I’m filled with words and need to share what’s on my heart.

Marriage is not a formula to follow. Though sometimes I wish it was. The more I spend reading God’s word, the more I understand how to love you better. It’s not ever going to be really easy. You and I are as different as night and day. We each dig our heels in but thank heaven we’re stubborn enough to keep each other.

love,

Laura

The secret to a lasting marriage.

Posted on 5 March, 2013 by Laura

“I was 19 when we married and it hasn’t been easy, I’ve done a lot of growing right in front of him which means a lot of stupid mistakes” I tell her. She laughs and encourages me that her mistakes were simply made before she married but we agree that marriage is hard no matter what age you marry at.

By the compatibility tests and counseling sessions we went through before marrying, Darren and I should never have made this commitment. We are as different as night and day. But we really did love each other.

I can’t tell you how many times in the beginning of our marriage that I questioned if I married the wrong guy. We fought, tested each other’s patience, and didn’t see eye to eye on hardly anything.
I believe God uses the people we don’t always like to sharpen us and force us to grow, and I had a lot of growing up to do.

Being the perfectionist that I am, it is challenging to accept there is no such thing as a prince charming and i’m sure Darren was disappointed in the women he thought he would have! But to be honest each year gets better and I love him more.

I have been married a short amount of years and don’t feel that qualified to be giving advice on this subject because i’ve failed time after time as a wife. I’ve said mean things, didn’t have respect, and thought of myself far above my husband. But there is one thing that i’m willing to dish out to anyone who is listening.

Marriages that last are all about grace.
Our marriages will go through the heat and there will be times of trouble and often when the struggles come they come all at once.

It takes grace to forgive even when a sin is committed over and over, it takes grace to keep moving forward, to remove divorce from your vocabulary, and to stay committed.
Darren didn’t wind up with the wife he thought he would but he has stayed loyal to the committment he made and he sure does fight for me.
Grace is a gift we can give in our marriages. It means laying down your rights and becoming a more selfless person but I believe it’s worth it.
When we made vows our spouse became the one. God will provide along the way and when you humble yourself before him that is when you discover there are no irreconcilable differences in marriage.

My husband is my best friend and I want to learn to love him better each day. God has used our differences to make us closer and I appreciate that he keeps me grounded.
He nudges me to go after what I love, and often surprises me with his wisdom.

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Last but not least…
Whenever I have the idea that my husband is an enemy this verse crosses my mind.

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The enemy of our marriage is satan and it’s important to guard the door, set up boundaries, and protect that man you love.

Praying for our marriages that they would grow in grace!

Laura

Simply a Miracle

Posted on 30 July, 2012 by Laura

Used with permission by Melissa Lynn Photography http://spot-in-the-sun.blogspot.com/ (My sister!)

Have you ever stopped long enough to soak in God’s handiwork? Maybe even experienced a breathtaking moment? I wish we could hold onto those seconds we’re wrapped up in worshipping God.
I am a writer and have been since I was little. My mind works like a writer even during the day i’m plucking away at a new devotional, blog post, or playing with ideas of what to add into a book. I love it and it draws me close to God. I constantly pray he’d use this blog, my words, and ultimately HIS WORD to draw you closer to Him still.

I wanted to bring some beauty to this blog through pictures. I am drawn to pictures and although pinterest is filled with creative pictures, I haven’t been feeling right using someone else’s work (even after giving credit).

Recently my sister Melissa agreed to team up with me on the blog and share some of her gorgeous photography. She has such a gift and i’m thrilled to share it with you. The cover photo on the facebook page and this blog were done by her and some of the more recent photos too. I love working with one of my best friends to add some beauty to this blog for you. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as i do!

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Can you pray for me out loud? I quietly ask almost embarrassed at the idea.
He puts his arms around me and says a prayer lifting me up. It feels odd but tears roll down my eyes as a miracle unfolds and I remember what was.
If you would have told that 19 year old who had one foot out the door, that her man would one day stand before her and pray she would have laughed in disbelief.
We have to be willing to stay through the hardships in obedience to God not because it brings immense pleasure always but because it does bring joy later. Will you trust me on this today? Because all these divorces among good friends are heartbreaking.
Be stubborn in your marriages and fight because if you let him, our enemy will fight to break them up.
He will tell you lies and remind you that your needs aren’t met, he’ll slip in moments of doubt and this idea that your man falls way too short. He’ll make the grass on the other side greener and convince you that you were meant to be over there in the first place. Oh how hard he will fight against your marriage!

Why?

I have learned that a marriage that lasts is the biggest testimony of God’s grace, mercy, and love. To put it simply, it’s a miracle!
We are selfish people and some of us are out the door at the first sign of trouble. I get it..because I was there.
Be in your husband’s corner and be a constant support no matter what season he is in because really, he needs you.

Praying that your marriage is thriving!

Laura