Personal reflection & a letter to my husband

If someone had told me 6 years ago that I would be where I am today, I never would have believed them. I would have listened politely, thanked them, maybe chatted a few more minutes and that would have been it. See, I was not living in a manner worthy and pleasing to God. I was living my life the way I wanted to. I wasn't being sensitive to God's leading. I knew what was right and what was wrong, but I chose to do the wrong things. Even in those moments I still felt the Holy Spirit nudging me in the right direction. Why did I choose to ignore it?

Through all of my disobedience God still chose to bless me! How awesome He is to forgive and cast my sins as far as the East is from the West! How loving He is to welcome me back into the fold! How holy and just He would have been to take my life, in my moments of sin and disobedience. I am here by His mercy and divine plan alone! I certainly didn't earn it or deserve it! I still don't, but I've committed my life to serving Him 100%. I pray every day that He use my strengths and weakness to His glory. I am not here to live comfortably. I am here to bring honor to God in everything I do.

He has taught me to trust Him during the good times, the bad times, the sad times and the difficult times. He has given me strength on days I didn't think I could keep going. He has given me hope when I didn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. He has blessed my children and my marriage because I have remained faithful to His calling for me as a wife and mother. Through daily prayer and quiet times I have learned how I am to be a helper to my husband who is the head of the household. He has taught me (and I am still learning) how to be submissive and respectful to Mike because God said that is how a wife should be. God has taught me to work on and change myself and let Him do the rest. I only need to be obedient to His calling.

6 years ago I would not have been writing this. 6 years ago I would have read these very words and probably wished that I would have the family and marriage that "this woman" had. I am proud to be "that woman" writing these words today.

It hasn't been the easiest road. There have been many bumps and holes. Some so deep and so rough that it seemed impossible, but we know from Luke 1:37, when the angel was speaking to Mary, "For nothing will be impossible with God." That still holds true today!

I am so thankful that God saw fit to bless our marriage. He allowed us to be together for a purpose. I am so thankful that he took the bad and used it for good. I don't ever want to take any of this for granted. I want to savor every moment and treasure every memory.

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Dear Mike,

Happy 5 year anniversary! As I said above, I am so thankful that you are my husband. Thank you for loving me and our family! I am blessed beyond words and I praise God that we have come this far! Thank you for your sensitivity to God's leading and the desire to see your family walk in a manner that pleases Him.

I am honored to be your wife and a mother to your children! I pray that we are blessed with many more years of love and happiness.

With all my love,
Steph

Song of Solomon 1:16a "You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words..."