27 years seems like a long time...

On Monday September 2nd my hubby and I will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. That is a long time. It does not seem like that long. I can honestly say we have had a happy marriage. Not to say we haven't had some rough patches or hard times because we have. But for the most part we like to be together, we are on the same page about most everything, we respect each other, we laugh, and we love each other.
When you say the words "love each other" all kinds of things can come to mind. That giddy love of a teenager, or romantic love, or that desperate love that you can't breath if they are away. I don't think we have had any of these. Our love has come from a place I could never had thought I could or would have. It comes from God and His love for us. 

1 Corinthians 13 4-7 says:

 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

 Shortly after we were married we gave our lives to Christ. These verses are how we try to treat each other. But not on our own but through the Holy Spirit. On our own we could not to this. Jesus is the center of our marriage. The one thing we have always keep in the mind is the last part of verse 5, "it keeps no record of wrongs." We all sin and make mistakes. We don't need to be reminded of something we did or said years ago. We never let a disagreement linger. We just don't like to be mad at each other. If we do have a big fight one of us usually starts laughing and then we say sorry and we're done. To me nothing is that important to not try and see his point of view. The thing is we are on the same side, it's "us" not him and me. He has my back and I have his!

I feel very blessed to have been able to spend 27 years married to my friend, partner and soul mate. Together we have raised two wonderful sons, have had a ton of fun and more laughs than I though was possible. God is Good!

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord!

It has been almost a year that we have been living in California. I have changed within, some negative and some positive. I have always had fears, fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of big bridges over water. (don't even ask how fearful I am of that one!). But they were not to a point of anxiety. But as soon as we move out of our house the anxiety started. I started to wake in the night with fear of what we were doing or would have sudden heart palpitations. On the first day my hubby started his job I woke with shingles. That was not fun. I'm sure it was from the stress of the move and being so anxious about it. Also leaving my kids and friends and the place I had lived my entire life. Through this I started moving away from God in various ways.  Most of my anxiety has subsided now that I've turned it over to God. But I do have a hard time going out alone and driving. I have to remember God has me, and I am safe. I am thankful God puts these verses on my heart when I feel anxious scared or alone.

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Psalm 121:1-2

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth

On the positive, I have learned not to take for granted friendships and church family.

Those relationship can take a long time to develop, so hold on the them. I have learned to enjoy life. Get out and have some fun when you can. I love to ride my bike, (I never did before). I really like going to baseball games. Who would of thought! 

But most of all, I've learned that you can forget the Lord ....

I had forgot to trust Him, live for Him, love Him, worship Him, spend time with Him, serve Him

So be careful that you do not forget the Lord! 

I have been meditating on Deuteronomy 6 lately, read it if you have the time. :)