Being married to my best friend has to this day and I know will be the same beyond today, been the greatest adventure.   After over 30+++ years there have been many changes in both of us.  Not only appearance, but our outlook, tolerances and opinions have morphed and changed to where we are today.  We have come through the dark times, the fun times, the early years of parenting, being in business and just regular life changes.

When I asked Darwin what changes has he seen in me since we got married, his first response is always the same,  ” You don’t cry so much any more”.   When we first got married I cried a lot.  I had moved away from all my family and friends to move to Hope where he lived and left everything that was familiar to me a drive and ferry ride away.  So yeah, I cried a lot.   I won’t even talk about how much I cried when I was pregnant!

One of the big changes I have seen in Darwin is his feelings about having bible verses up in our home.   As a wedding gift a dear friend had given us a bible verse plaque;

“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

When we returned from our Honeymoon I went to hang it up in our hallway and Darwin asked that I not do that.   I could hang it behind our bedroom door, but not where people would see it.  I was surprised because it was our home and we both believed what the verse said.   I said ok to his request knowing that each of us sees things differently and I respected that.   That verse stayed there for a few years and one day he randomly said without my prompting he wanted me to hang it in the hallway.   His concern was initially that someone would feel uncomfortable in our home if that verse was there.   We both try in our own ways to give each other space to grow spiritually.   Once you become a Christian it is a commitment that takes time to grow just as a baby doesn’t eat prime rib on its birthday.   Watching how Darwin’s relationship with Jesus has grown is ONE of the things that makes me fall in love with him over and over again.   His faith has grown between him and Jesus, and so has mine.  We have walked the rough times and have seen and felt things that a person can’t invent, things that are only a God thing.

In the mornings we sit together and do a devotional and pray and talk.  Our conversations are more times about the Bible, what we are feeling spiritually, questions we have and what amazing things we believe God is doing in our lives.  Then we pray.

Hearing Darwin pray sometimes brings tears to my eyes.   No fancy words, no whispers or shouting, just a heart of a man before the God he loves.  Filled with praise for God, filled with a heart for our family, friends, employees and neighbours.   I am a pretty blessed woman to have a man who loves Jesus, loves me, loves our family.  His desire more than anything is to have his life reflect the Saviour that he loves.   I am thankful to have a husband who is a spiritual leader in our home and shines for Jesus in the life that he lives.   I have a lot to learn from him about living authentically for Jesus in this crazy old world.

I am working through things I am thankful for in 2019.  Life in 2019 is going to start off with a few challenges (surgery, and our daughter’s health to top the cake)  and I thought I would beat those challenges down by focusing on the things I am thankful for.  Darwin tops the list!  I am so thankful he picked me for his wife.  Here is Darwin’s favourite bible verse:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ”  Matthew 6:33

Hugs n Prayers

Jackie