To David:
Ten. Much life has been packed into this three letter word. Ten years ago today I met you, the man I call my husband. It was Oaks Day 2010 in Louisille KY. The weather was warm and flowers were in bloom. Relatives and mutual friends would introduce us on this history making day. I could never have imagined all that was in store for us from that day on.
If you had asked me ten years ago, I would have told you I wanted my life fabric to be woven with just one color, maybe two. Keeping it neat and tidy, therefore making it beautiful. Little did I know that true beauty is intertwined with the mess. It took me several years (and lots of reminders to this day) to believe this irony. Some days this beauty I clearly see and others I strain to capture a glimpse.
When my expectations were crushed and the mess of life began, all I could see was failure. I didn’t yet understand the freedom in letting God have His way. Over the years, you’ve watched me wrestle with God as He weaves different experiences into my life fabric. Some things He authored and others He allowed. The Lord began cutting a piece here, adding a piece there, restitching in this place and that place. You were patient as my first reaction was typically resistance, thinking I had a better way. While I thought things were getting messed up and not going according to plan, life was falling into His plan for us.
Adding to my existing fabric, you’ve been beside me as the Lord used materials of different textures, patterns, colors, shapes and sizes. He used textures like depression, pain, discovery, anxiety, growth, loss and grief. He used patterns like debt, blessings, bondage, selfishness and victories. He used colors like failure, surrender and freedom. He used shapes like dreams, setbacks and healing. He used sizes like fears, failing marriage, death, children and success.
While it is still unfinished, I am in awe at what I imagine this multi colored, unique and strangely beautiful fabric to look like. Not at all what I expected. Not at all what I would have chosen. Thousands of tattered pieces becoming one whole as they are crafted together by The Weaver. Oh what joy when I recognize the cost of the thread used on this fabric. The label affixed to this thread…His grace!
Today I celebrate this ten year meetaversary and look forward to the next decade with you. I am honored to be your wife. I am grateful for the privilege to watch as you grow into the man God created you to be. I am so grateful that the Lord is using what the Enemy meant for evil and turning it for good. (Genesis 50:20)
(I couldn’t find a picture of the day we met, so this is the night you proposed.)
