Today marks nine years of marriage.
As Justin and I reflect upon nine years of
living side by side, hand in hand, we rejoice! We love one another more deeply
today than ever before. We rejoice that God has given us genuine friendship
with one another and that going through life together, though not trial-free,
continues to be light, loving, and fun.
But in addition to rejoicing, anniversaries
are opportunities to remember and reflect. We remember the vows we spoke to one
another; we remember the hopes and dreams of our idealistic 25-year-old selves;
we remember the magic of our Christmassy wedding day. We also reflect. How is
God shaping us and changing us? Are we living out those vows we spoke nine
years ago? As we look back and now look ahead, what can we do better?
I think back to that cold, festive December
in 2004. An anticipation once marked in months becomes only weeks, then days.
And then suddenly, the season of anticipation draw to a close and it’s December
18th, the morning of our wedding. There are so many things I remember about
that day. So many treasured moments with my new husband, with my family and
friends, with people I love.
But today one memory stands out.
Before walking to the church, before the
grand old doors of the church building swung open, before walking down the
aisle on my Pop’s arm, before having that first glance at my handsome groom, I
remember sitting on my bed dressed in sparkling white, hair swept into a low
bun, tiara in place, and a dear friend and I reading God’s word and praying
together. We read the prayer of King David in Psalm 27. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I
may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze
upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
God,
one thing we ask: let today be a day when Your beauty is made known. Let us see
You today. Let us gaze upon the beauty of Christ Himself.
These nine years I’ve remembered and oft repeated
the words Psalm 27 and the words of that prayer because it is the prayer not
just of a wedding day but also the prayer of an every day. On my wedding day, I
didn’t want to forget the One who had brought that day about. As I walked down
that aisle holding my Pop’s arm, looking to the front, heart beating fast
within as I looked at my love, I didn’t want to forget to behold the beauty of
Christ, the Giver of this gift.
And then of course, as the excitement of a
wedding day transitioned into the everyday life of marriage, that one thing was
still what I needed most. Today, nine years later, it’s still the one thing I
need most. As I walked down that aisle to the man I loved, it was Christ who I
needed. The wedding day ended. Marriage began. Nine years passed. Now, as I
continue to walk through life beside the man I love, the thing I need the most is still the same: beholding the
beauty of Christ.
The greatest need is always the same, isn't it? More
of Jesus Himself
.
An ancient king’s prayer; a bride’s wedding
day prayer; a wife’s every day prayer: one
thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I
may gaze upon the beauty of the Lord all the days of my life.
Justin,
More than any other person in my
life, God has used you to answer this wedding day prayer of mine. One thing
have I asked of the Lord… that I may gaze upon the beauty of the Lord all the
days of my life. As I remember and reflect, there are so many reasons why I
love you, Justin, why I give thanks for you, why you are a gift beyond what I deserve. And
this tops the list. Thank you for being a husband who loves me enough to help
me see the beauty of Jesus.
Happy Anniversary, Justin.
I love you.
