Bond, Chris Bond
My children are often a topic of laughter, frustration, joy, and importance in my life and on my blog. But I have overlooked one person in my life. It's not always as easy for me to brag on my husband as it is to gripe about him. I don't know why except that I'm just a crummy person, I guess. It always seems easier to point out another's faults, mistakes, and shortcomings rather than focus on all the wonderfully amazing things about them. I suppose it's our need to make ourselves feel better about who we are. Chris always makes me feel better about who I am, though, so I'm here to celebrate the blessing he is to me.
Yesterday, it was his birthday and we both realized again how quickly time passes and how hold we, ur HE, is. We've been blessed to be married for eleven years now, which just blows my mind. In the past twelve years that we've known each other, God has been about the business of making Chris the answer to my prayers. When I dreamed of a husband, as most girls do, I really desired a man who loved Jesus and who would lead our home as God would have him to. In December 1997, we met and quickly starting becoming twitterpated, and I knew I had to do a spiritual check-up on this guy I barely knew. So, as any sweet, Christian girl would do, I ambushed him in his apartment one night. We'd probably known each other a whole two weeks. I don't remember what I said exactly, but I remember he looked like a deer in headlights. I figured I had scared him off for good. I can't remember exactly what he said, either, but he's still around today, so he must have passed the test. But he will tell you he wrestled with God that night - and God won. Yay! He never missed a Sunday going to church with me after that.
Still, I wanted someone who loved Jesus more than he loved me. I wanted him to go to church and seek God for God and not to please a girl he thought was kinda cute. I have a horrible memory when it comes to details, so I don't know exactly how it happened, but I know that the husband I have today definitely loves God more than he loves me. But I know he loves me more than anyone after God and that he loves me for who I am...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Trust me, the bad and the ugly easily overshadow the good. He's a brave man for taking on such a crazy, headstrong wife, but I think he's up to the challenge.
Marriage is not easy, at least not for us. But it's totally worth it. Even on the worst days, when I want to punch him in the nose, I know that I'm blessed. Most women in this world would give anything to have a man of such integrity and compassion by their side. I know I need someone who will lead me even when I don't want to be led and to places I don't necessarily want to go. Despite our personalities, God is molding us into godly spouses. We are definitely a case of iron sharpening iron. Sharpening is not always a fun or painless process, but it produces a useful product in the end.
I'm so thankful that, on my worst days, I never have to worry that Chris will walk out. He never throws my faults back in my face. He just bears with me in love. He is patient and kind and does not remember when I wrong him...or at least he doesn't tell me if he does. He hopes and believes that God will use us - together - to do big things. He is the embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13. He loves me as Christ loves the church. He cares deeply about me and my feelings, but he will not let that stand in the way of God's plan and purpose for us. He will not leave me or forsake me unless it's God's timing for him to do so. He's not perfect, and neither is his wife, but my husband is a wonderful example of Christ's love for His bride. Underneath all the wild, silly, adventurous exterior, is a heart earnestly seeking after God. What more could a woman want?
Yesterday, it was his birthday and we both realized again how quickly time passes and how hold we, ur HE, is. We've been blessed to be married for eleven years now, which just blows my mind. In the past twelve years that we've known each other, God has been about the business of making Chris the answer to my prayers. When I dreamed of a husband, as most girls do, I really desired a man who loved Jesus and who would lead our home as God would have him to. In December 1997, we met and quickly starting becoming twitterpated, and I knew I had to do a spiritual check-up on this guy I barely knew. So, as any sweet, Christian girl would do, I ambushed him in his apartment one night. We'd probably known each other a whole two weeks. I don't remember what I said exactly, but I remember he looked like a deer in headlights. I figured I had scared him off for good. I can't remember exactly what he said, either, but he's still around today, so he must have passed the test. But he will tell you he wrestled with God that night - and God won. Yay! He never missed a Sunday going to church with me after that.
Still, I wanted someone who loved Jesus more than he loved me. I wanted him to go to church and seek God for God and not to please a girl he thought was kinda cute. I have a horrible memory when it comes to details, so I don't know exactly how it happened, but I know that the husband I have today definitely loves God more than he loves me. But I know he loves me more than anyone after God and that he loves me for who I am...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Trust me, the bad and the ugly easily overshadow the good. He's a brave man for taking on such a crazy, headstrong wife, but I think he's up to the challenge.
Marriage is not easy, at least not for us. But it's totally worth it. Even on the worst days, when I want to punch him in the nose, I know that I'm blessed. Most women in this world would give anything to have a man of such integrity and compassion by their side. I know I need someone who will lead me even when I don't want to be led and to places I don't necessarily want to go. Despite our personalities, God is molding us into godly spouses. We are definitely a case of iron sharpening iron. Sharpening is not always a fun or painless process, but it produces a useful product in the end.
I'm so thankful that, on my worst days, I never have to worry that Chris will walk out. He never throws my faults back in my face. He just bears with me in love. He is patient and kind and does not remember when I wrong him...or at least he doesn't tell me if he does. He hopes and believes that God will use us - together - to do big things. He is the embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13. He loves me as Christ loves the church. He cares deeply about me and my feelings, but he will not let that stand in the way of God's plan and purpose for us. He will not leave me or forsake me unless it's God's timing for him to do so. He's not perfect, and neither is his wife, but my husband is a wonderful example of Christ's love for His bride. Underneath all the wild, silly, adventurous exterior, is a heart earnestly seeking after God. What more could a woman want?
Okay Amy, that is sooo sweet! You are blessed.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDelete-Jeanna