How I Met My Husband

I was a young woman, living on my own in a small, sparsely furnished apartment.  For years I had supported myself and paid my way through college by working long hours managing a Fine Jewelry dept in a large department store.

I had previously been in two long-term relationships; neither was healthy or God-pleasing.  I did come to know my Lord and Savior through the first young man, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

I was very much ‘involved’ with the second man. But from the very beginning, even as a new Christ follower, I knew in my heart that God was not pleased with this unequally-yoked relationship.  And so, in obedience to what I knew He was telling me, I, with a breaking heart, walked away.

For six months I spent every spare minute away from work and school, praying and reading His life-giving, heart-healing word.  It was one of the sweetest times I can remember... sitting on the floor in that little apartment, just me, my Bible, and my Lord.  It was the first time in my life that I experienced... soul deep joy.  How wonderful was that of my loving God?!

Oh, but listen to this!  One day, I was at a manager’s meeting and we were introduced to the new jewelry buyer who had just been transferred back to his hometown of Indianapolis.  His name was John. The first things I noticed about John were his ‘kind’ eyes and easy smile. Oh yes, there was potential here!

Over the next few weeks John made several trips out to my store, bringing more and more and more jewelry, until the cases were bursting with gold, watches, and precious stones.  I'm sure I had the most well-stocked store in the district!  Each time he came, we would stand over the diamond case talking about everything... and nothing. {Fortunately, business was slow!}

I was beginning to really like this guy, but was seriously wondering if he was ever going to ask me out! After several weeks, he finally wrestled up enough courage {he was afraid I'd say 'No'!} to ask me out for something to drink after work.  We sat at a restaurant, drinking iced tea until two in the morning.  For hours we talked about our faith, our families; we laughed and talked some more.  And so it began.

He would call every Tuesday night at 10:00 to ask me out for the weekend.  We would usually talk until one in the morning.  Saturday night was date night and would finally end at one or two a.m.  After way too little sleep, I'd  meet him bright and early Sunday morning for church.  It’s amazing how young love requires so little sleep! {I'd never be able to do that now!}
 

We spent a year getting to know each other and spending time with our families.  I spent so much time on my knees, asking my Father for clarity and direction.  I didn't want to get it wrong... again.  What God revealed in so many ways, was that John and I were absolutely... right.  Oh yes, he was the one!  He was kind, strong, funny, loving, caring, and most importantly, he had a soul-deep love for the Lord.  We made a covenant with our merciful God on May 1st, 31 years ago. 

As I look back, I see how my loving Father gave me the strength and determination to walk away from those outside of His plan... A plan that graciously brought healing to my heart and John into my life. 
 

John and I have certainly had our highs and lows; we've laughed together,  argued together, cried together, and grieved together. Through God's grace, we're still learning how to love one another well.  But through it all, we've remained committed to each other and determined to protect the covenant we made with our Lord, 31 years ago... from this day forward.  Oh, how I love this man!

I'd love to hear how you met your husband!

Leave a comment!

 "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."

Jeremiah 29:11

Living in His grace, 

Mary

Jesus And A Full Plate

Source

Let’s take a quick walk together to the synagogue in Capernaum where an amazed crowd surrounds this man called Jesus. A man who is teaching with uncommon, yes, unprecedented authority. A man who has just silenced and cast out demons with a few power-filled words! Jesus and his men then leave the synagogue as this astonished crowd talk excitedly of what they’ve just seen and heard. “Can you believe how he teaches with such authority? What kind of man speaks like that?”  “Did you hear how he told the demons to be silent? Did you see how the demons obeyed?”

After leaving the synagogue Jesus, James and John walk down a dusty road to the home of Simon and Andrew. They enter a house that would, on a normal day, be filled with chatter and the aroma of meat on the spit and bread in the oven. But today is far from normal. Simon’s mother-in-law is very ill, in bed with a high fever. With haste they tell Jesus of her sickness. Showing great compassion, He goes to her bedside, takes her fever-hot hand in His, and helps her sit up. And just that quickly, her fever is gone. Why, she actually feels well enough to prepare a meal for this house of hungry men!

After a miracle filled day, the sun is finally setting. Oh, but the work of Jesus has just begun. So many sick and so many demon-possessed have found their way to Simon's house... Each one needing a healing touch, a power-filled word. One by one Jesus touches, speaks, commands, and rebukes. And one by one they are healed and set free. On this night, a huge crowd from all around Capernaum has gathered to watch this man called Jesus. “The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. They said, “Everyone is asking for you.” Mark 1:35-37 NLT

 “Everyone is asking for you.” 

Can you relate to that?   

At home: the cleaning, the laundry, the meals, the dishes, the children, your husband.   

At work: the reports, the deadlines, the planning.  

At church: Bible study, women’s ministry, so many committees.  All of it... so important, so very necessary.

Looking back over our day with Jesus, was there anything that He did or said that wasn’t important, that wasn’t life changing and necessary to so many? And yet, in the midst of “Everyone is asking for you”, He chose to find a solitary place away from the legitimate, important needs of so many, to spend precious time with His Father.

  

  Our plates may seem full-to-the -point-of -cracking, 

but nothing is so important that it 

trumps spending time with our Lord.
Let's keep each other in prayer... 
That we may never forget to spend
precious time with Jesus.

 I invite you to read this beautiful account in

 Mark 1:21-37!  

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 Living in His grace!

Mary

I sometimes link  with these delightful ladies!

Women Living Well ,   Finding Joy,   Intentional.Me 
Womanhood with Purpose ,  Beholding Glory 
Titus 2 Tuesdays,   A Wise Woman Builds Her House 
Creative Christian Mama ,  Serving Joyfully, Titus 2sdays
Word Filled Wednesday,

  New Life Steward,   Serving Joyfully 
Christian Mommy Blogger,  Getting Down with Jesus