“WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE ME AS YOUR WIFE?”
That’s me to my husband waking up to our 20th wedding anniversary! He surprisingly replied, “100%.” “As much as he criticizes me, I expected a 30%! LOL! I gave him a 99.9%. I think God agrees with me because as I type this, He just took my attention to a shirt with a tag still attached to it with a cost of $9.99 (Wink! Wink!). God is pretty talkative! This shirt was a gift from my son, Emmie, filled with roses to remind me of all the beauty in my life and that I must focus on the roses and not the thorns (the negatives!). As I got to my God tree today, I smiled with God and said, ‘We did it! 20 years!!!’ I tell everyone my joke that it is my husband who has brought me closer to God. When he upsets me, I go running to God, ‘God, what is this?!? Help me!!!’
And God has made me realize that I have the best husband. Julie was out with him the other day, and she came back saying, “Daddy works hard for us.” God is constantly reminding me of this verse:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
So, I just have to keep reminding myself of all the beautiful attributes of my hubs that I love, and when the less than fantastic show their ugly faces, I just have to wipe them off against all his good! God is forever reminding me, ‘Ain’t nothing perfect, girl!
God tells me that it’s me who has to change when I go running to Him. After hubby went all crazy with His criticisms the other day, there were many lessons for me to learn to improve myself. Like under the tree today, God had this to say to me after hubby’s brutal feedback:
“I AM PLEASED WITH YOU, MY CHILD…You don’t have to perform well in order to receive My love (Wink! Wink!).
And that’s where my focus should be, looking to God for His love, acceptance, and approval. I proudly told my hubs and kids that God sees everything I do, and He loves me! I’m God’s girl, baby! I can still look to hubs for ways I can improve, but not being blown to and fro based on his mood of the moment. This morning I got 100%, but you can ask him now, which could be 40%. Humans are fickle! I had to learn that my love and security rest in God. That’s the foundation for every decision I make. I can walk with my head high every day, knowing His love for me is unfailing and unconditional. God’s love and loyalty make me want to return that love and dedication to Him by being the best wife, mom, and person possible, all for His glory! I love this message from an old post:
“God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” – 1 John 4:16
Which is sometimes the hardest part, let me tell ya. That’s when the real badness comes out when we can let go of the hurts, disappointments, distresses, failures, mistakes, and pain and be heroic, staying on the high road, loving, forgiving, non-judgmental, gentle, faithful, and humble people God asks us to be. Not conforming to the world or what anyone else expects of us but simply keeping our lives intertwined with God, constantly asking Him, “What would You have me to do here?” OBEY GOD AND LEAVE THE CONSEQUENCES WITH HIM!!!
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” – Proverbs 3:3-6
Love you, my boo, no regrets! I’m sticking with you and God!!!