By

My parents came to stay with us last week. The tear in my leg was still far from healed, but Dwayne had to get back to work, so my mom and dad came to help me with the kids during the day.

And, let me just say, that this week, as they've been here and as I've seen my husband interacting with my dad and mom again, the Holy Spirit has been confirming to me the choice that I made in marrying Dwayne. I am still so glad I did so.

Other people I dated shared some of the same qualities with Dwayne. They were godly and strong and hard working and they loved me. But, for me, Dwayne has always exceeded what I asked for or even imagined in a man. You know how the verse goes. Ephesians 3:20. And this is particularly true in the way that he loves my family. I'm not sure any other person would have been able to love them like he loves them, without effort or effect, honestly and from the deepest, most sincere part of himself.

Now, don't hear what I am not saying. My family isn't awful, but they aren't perfect, either. Dwayne's never made them ashamed of who they are and in turn, he's never made me feel like I needed to somehow explain where I came from (something none of us have any power to do anything about, by the way).

Around Dwayne, my parents have always felt that they could be themselves, that they were allowed to take pride in us as a couple and that they could have real ownership over their grandchildren. In all this, they've taken their ques from Dwayne. My mom and dad could always tell, without question, that he accepted them. And I just adore my husband for this.

Now, this isn't why I married Dwayne. It's not like I evaluated potential spouses based on how much they liked my family or how much my family liked them (though I did ask my parents for their blessing to marry Dwayne, out of respect. I trusted that even if they said, "No" for some reason, God would eventually, somehow, lead them to say, "Yes.") I chose Dwayne for other, more obvious reasons at the time, like how much he loved Christ.

But, his godliness has produced a kindness and love for my family that was, basically, immediate. He loves me so he loves them because they are mine. And, he loves them because he's married to me, so they are now his.

To be honest, this is something I wasn't even considering when I said, "I do." I was just excited about all the blessings Dwayne would bring me. How could I have known how far reaching God's blessings would go or how much it would bless me to see others blessed by our marriage? But, this is just one of the many benefits I've discovered from making the right choice in who I married.

My husband has become a sort of second-son to my father, in addition to my older brother, of course. My dad takes a lot of joy in him and I know the feeling is mutual. And, once again, I am humble and thankful that I was given enough wisdom and grace (mostly grace... God had to push me and shove and then trip me into the right direction.) to chose the man God chose for me.

The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.

Proverbs 23:24-25


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

By
Image
"...the child should have a set time everyday to read for fun. Begin with half an hour for first graders, and build up to an hour of reading time daily... This is an important part of the child's education: it improves his reading skills, teaches him the habit of sitting still with a book, and reminds him that reading is fun... free reading ought to be spent on literature at or slightly below the child's present reading level so that he can simply enjoy himself. The easier reading will help him increase his speed." The Well Trained Mind: The Guide to Classical Education at Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer
Read more

Andrew Peterson's Songs That Celebrate Marriage and Family

By
Recently, I got to go to an Andrew Peterson concert at the Community Coffehouse in Danbury, CT. My dear friend and I didn't realize the show was sold out when we arrived.  But luckily, the lady at the door showed us pity, let us pay for tickets that didn't exist, and go in. We were willing to stand at the back, but we were able to find space on a bench at the back of the hall. I knew a few of the songs he sang that evening, but many of them were new to me because I have a hard time with new music.  I'd rather sing a song I already know by heart a hundred more times than hear a new song through even once. I know it is a problem that I need to work on if for no other reason than for the sake of my poor husband and daughters who have to hear the same albums everyday for a year. No, really. A year. At least. I have been giving myself permission to buy new music for this reason. So I came home that evening or maybe it was the next day and I purchased three of hi
Read more

Astronomer Shoe Boxes for Challenge B

By
Image
  Avril finished her astronomer shoeboxes for Challenge B.   The Challenge B students have all done research and projects on astronomers throughout this first semester.  Now, students choose two (or more) astronomers in secret and provide clues to the astronomers' identities in their shoeboxes.   For instance, if an astronomer made telescopes, sang opera, played piano, discovered binary stars or Uranus, studied eclipses, lived in a simple, log cabin, or made a map of Washington D.C., you might include some of those items to your shoe boxes as hints.  Student bring in their shoeboxes, and classmates get a chance to guess who the astronomers are based on what's inside the boxes.  Can you guess who Avril's astronomers are based on the pictures above?  Hint: Her two boxes actually represent three astronomers total.  
Read more