I know it’s been quiet over here and I hate that. I really want to encourage young wives and young moms and those ladies who really want to know what respect looks like so that they can put it into practice in their own marriages.
But sometimes we are called to experience things so that we can learn about compassion, healing, hurting, love, encouragement, and so many other things.
I know I wrote about humility and what I’m learning over this last year.
But now, it’s my husband’s turn to be down and out. Actually, as I write this, he is in surgery that is pretty major. And we very much appreciate your prayers.
I know there is a reason that God has allowed this to happen. I know we are in a season of learning.
The biggest thing we keep coming back to is JOY.
Joy that this is happening when we live with my parents and have help with the kids.
Joy that he is young and otherwise healthy and should recovery beautifully. In fact, this may be an answer to prayers for his condition.
Joy that our kids will never remember the six weeks that daddy was too sick to play with them.
Joy that our insurance has proven to be incredible.
Joy that the day we happened to get an appointment immediately, they admitted him. He happened to get one of the best GI’s who happened to refer him to one of the best surgeons.
Joy that I don’t work outside of the home and can spend time with him and the kids as needed.
So much joy.
Because God wants us to be joyful.
It’s not easy. I have cried many tears over this. I’m exhausted. I don’t feel like I’ve seen my kids much.
But then I read something like this and I know that this is why God encourages us to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances… 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a
Then get your grateful on in prayer. Start thanking Him for everything He gives you. Everything you have. Be specific. Thank Him for struggles and difficulties, too, not just the stuff that you like. Don’t ask for anything until you have given thanks. You don’t have to like it or understand it, but if it’s happening, choose to be grateful for it. –Nina Roesner, Is Your Marriage Hard?
Dare you today to choose joy also. It’s beautiful and painful but it’s so worth it.
Would you share with us about your own choosing joy right now? Big ways, smalls ways, all ways are welcome. We want to share joy with you
Olivia says
I can so relate to you, Leah. I am also going through a humbling process, realizing that I truly cannot do my life without God’s strength, love for me and through me, and lots and lots of grace. I am choosing joy rather than self-pity even though this has been a hard year in a lot of ways for my husband and me. This year has included sickness on and off for both of us, major financial and job instability, adjusting our personalities and priorities to our still-new marriage, and then the loss of my husband’s grandpa and mom only six months apart on top of everything. I have indulged in self-absorption and defeat at times, but it doesn’t lead anywhere good and it’s definitely not what I want long-term, so I am choosing to hit my knees and get desperate for God and find stability in him alone. In the middle of surrender, God fills me with his joy and peace, and I gain the clarity I need to do life as more than a conqueror instead of one underneath my circumstances. The joy God gives shows that greater is he that is in me than he who is in the world. I’m learning to enjoy and accept the journey even though life doesn’t always go as planned. God bless you and your husband and family!