We tend to think of our years, days, and even our moments in terms of stories. Some are mundane and some are surprising, but all of them are worth celebrating in light of God's grace.
Looking back on 12 years of marriage (today!) I have fond memories of that time I met Dave in Evangelism Explosion class at church. His reputation preceded him, because when I met Dave I thought to myself, "Oh, so this is the man I've heard about who has a discipleship group of college guys that meet early on Saturday mornings in the dorm." You just don't hear about that kind of ministry very often. What kind of coffee does this man drink and where can I get it?
It wasn't long before I understood what would convince a bunch of college guys to wake up early on the weekend to study the Bible. Dave embodies the kind of zeal that draws you in to his relentless joy-quest. If you've met Dave or heard him preach then you know what I'm talking about. And on a related note, people are always astonished to learn that he is (and always has been) caffeine-free. (Crazy!)
As Christians we understand that the stories of our lives are guided an unseen hand. I wrote in the dedication of Glimpses of Grace that every day Dave reminds me that "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. 118:24). Through Dave's witness over these years I've had the privilege of seeing up close what it looks like to trust God's merciful hand as he fires for us solid joys that are wrought in the furnace of suffering. From where I sit, I can see that this kind of pain hasn't dampened my husband's zeal, but lights it even brighter for others to see, marvel at, and ask him-- "Give me the reason for the hope within you."
They have sayings about couples. One saying is that "opposites attract." So, do I, as his less-energetic-caffeine-requiring counterpart "only hope to contain him?" I should certainly hope not. As God gives me life and grace my aim is to be his helper in this race of endurance, helping throw more fuel onto his godly zeal and looking to Jesus as we lay aside every weight and clinging sin.
Everlasting joy waits at the finish line, and the pleasure of God is not absent in the journey. In every moment-- from the mundane stories of "toothbrush tangoes" fighting for space to stand in front of a small bathroom mirror each day to the surprising "Honey, can you believe this happened?" stories.
I'm grateful that we get to live out the story of God's faithfulness together. And eat fried pickles and burgers to celebrate!
