My husband and I just celebrated 21 years of marriage. We dated 4 years prior which would make us a 25-year relationship later this year. I always count the 4years before because that dating time was exclusive and was time deeply invested. I remember the one time when I had a eureka moment of when I met him and how old I was. It was frightening for a minute. I said to him one day, I said “honey do you realize I have given you half my life?” His response was “oh yeah how about that.” Since that moment of realization I would tease (literally tease no threats lol)….him every so often reminding him that I have given him half of my life…..and I wish he “would” lol.
This year hubby made our day extra special. But can I be honest? Being quarantined has not bothered us at all. It’s been quite the lovely. But with it being a special day, it got to me a little. Not being able to go away or even go out. Forgetting to order that cheap cute little deck furniture I saw on that thrift website. Here I am the day of thinking let me at least get the living room rug and place it on the deck out back and make the best of it. Well.. while I am getting myself together this special morning my husband runs up to greet me a Happy Anniversary and then lovingly orders me not to come downstairs until he comes to get me. A little confused while at the same time I began to get a little excited. I said …okay. And then I am thinking what is he up to? And how am I going to get MY little plan off?
Here he comes to get me. He asked me to close my eyes as he guided me down the steps. My heart started racing with excitement. I am thinking what is this guy UP to? When I finally opened my eyes I see this beautiful setting for two on our deck! No.. hubby did not surprise me with deck furniture. But what he did do was a BIG surprise. Imagine our folding game table, our two accent chairs (INDOOR CHAIRS BY THE WAY BUT I DIDN’T CARE), the game table covered with an old bed top sheet he found and cleaned decorated with artificial flower arrangements I had in the house. And he even decorated the chairs, stuffing in the top seams, more artificial flowers he found in the house. He did ALL this premeditated and while I was resting. HE TOTALLY BLEW MY MIND. Never would have imagined doing something so creative. I had us on the floor of the deck remember! What I was trying to do was already being done 10x better! God spoke to me through my husband’s actions. I know this because I had not shared anything with him. And any thought of wishing we could be away, any thought of wishing I did not forget to get furniture for the deck was erased immediately. In all of this, what blessed me the most was the posture of my husband’s heart. He was so excited. He had everything planned out including making our meals. His whole plan was to make our day amazing despite what was working against us. The heart flutters going on in me! To feel this way after 25 years in relationship and 21 years in covenant? How can this be? How can we keep our love fresh after so many years?
Then I remembered….AH he loves me as Christ loved the church and gave His life for it. He wanted to show me that his love was still very strong for me even after all of these years. Through the good the bad and the ugly. Through the most difficult times in our marriage. I still found myself landing on his fresh strong love for me. And truth be told… mine for him. One of the main keys to this freshness is FORGIVENESS. The real forgiveness that leaves it be… not the fake stuff that throws back at you in a heated discussion. His word says He casts our sins in the sea of forgetfulness. Our marriages should reflect our relationship with Christ as His church who is His bride. He is the lover of our soul and He forgives. He KEEPS it fresh. Love and forgiveness go hand and hand. He loves us through it ALL. He loves us through those difficult times when our relationship with Him seems rocky on our end. He loves us and already has plans for us when we are trying so hard in our own strength with our own plans to make things special and amazing in our OWN lives.
How long have you been walking with God? Are you walking with Him at all? It’s okay. I don’t know what you are dealing with today. But I do want you to know that God has something beautifully set for you. And when you woke up this morning you had brand new mercies. You had fresh love from HIM. His word says that His faithfulness is great and His loving kindness is new EVERY MORNING. I pray you feel His strong love. Look for the ways He wants to make your day amazing during this pandemic. No matter how you may feel and no matter what it looks like, He wants to make your day amazing removing all doubt and fear. He wants to blow your mind. What He is going to do is premeditated…..so REST. And it may not be tangible things every single day. Take and receive what HE wants to give you for the day. Today it may be unshakable peace. Tomorrow it may be that unspeakable joy and full of glory the bible speaks of. The next day it may be a large check retroactive of what was owed to you. The next day it could be a social media post that makes your day. The next day it may be an unexpected act of kindness from someone. The next day it may be stronger faith. The next day it may be a small check. The next day could be a blog that DeShantel posts that speaks directly to you. The next day it may be crazy favor. I think you get what I am saying. Look for WHATEVER He decides to do for you.…and receive it. He knows what you need and He will deliver because He is GOD….AND HIS LOVE IS STILL FRESH AND STRONG FOR US!
PRAYER: God you are SO wonderful. You are such an incredible God and I honor your greatness today. Help me to understand your great love that is fresh so strong for me every morning. Thank you that your love never fails and never falls stale. Thank you also for the fresh start today. I receive the amazing day that is ahead for me. I know you have my best interest and I know you know what is best for me. Increase my faith. Help me to trust you. I speak Psalm 91 over my life. I thank you for your protection and your healing power. I pray for a release of what you have for me. I pray for provision and I am looking for YOUR AMAZING today. I thank you for the victory and plan you already have in place for my life. In Jesus Name Amen.
SCRIPTURES:
Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1 Peter 1:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy,
Ephesians 3:20 Amplified Bible (AMP)
20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,