for the marrieds and the hopeful

Here are some of my latest ponderings. I’ll be shifting frequently so hang on.

My wife lost her job not too long ago, my mother was recently quite ill, we had a leak in our bathroom, we're facing some tough issues at church, and other varied difficulties are transpiring simultaneously. Even our grass has decided it's time to shrivel up and die. In light of all the trials facing us, my family and I have decided to split for good. Leaving the Garden State. Heading for the hills forever. Hitting the road and NEVER looking back. Actually we had planned a little trip some time ago, it was non-refundable and we'll be back in a week. Shift.

I needed to share this little thought with my extended family, (that's you) before we go. Roughly twenty years ago I knelt at my bed in a little apartment and gave my heart to the Lord. I'd love to say I came to the Lord as a result of the gentle prodding of the Holy Spirit leading me down a gradual path, peacefully like a meandering stream. In truth it was more akin to a nuclear bomb of conviction laying waste to every part of me. I came to the Lord as a result of the Holy Spirit prompting me to ask my self, "What will happen to me if I don't straighten out, where will I end up?" My words to Jesus were literally, "Please don't let me die, I'm not ready. I’m sorry, forgive me, I want to change." I recall that night sleeping more peacefully than I had in a long time. I wouldn’t trade the grace of God and His precious forgiveness and the ensuing relationship for all the tea in China!

Ever since that very night, the peace has never left me. I've had my "ups and downs" certainly, but I always came to rest on the unshakeable certainties that Jesus died for me, His presence and protection and guidance will never leave me. When my time comes to leave this poor, miserable, wretched, carcass here on this planet, my soul will go be with my Lord and Savior. He is at the center of my heart. What an awesome sense of confidence He provided for me! Shift

In the past several months I've entertained myself by posting sweet little comments about my wonderful wife on a popular networking site. Why does this entertain me? Well, because she is not a tremendously public person, especially when it comes to matters of AMOURRR. I regularly feel overwhelmed with “warm fuzzies” for her and I NEED to express it. Just recently she made some of the best French onion soup I’ve ever had! She works hard and I want others to know how blessed I am! Apparently the little comments I made tugged on several heart strings. I've gotten numerous reply comments to my original comment. Truth is my wife and I love each other very much and even though troubles arise and may even result in the odd skirmish, all-out war never breaks out because we are on the same side! We don't live in some fluffy chocolate encrusted mansion shrouded in roses. We have our struggles, but in the end there is peace and love, and at the center is Jesus. Shift

Where is this all going? What is he babbling on about? Allow me to connect the dots. I started by saying we've experienced some very tough times lately. Secondly, I shared how indescribable peace and forgiveness entered into my heart and remains there as a result of my continuing relationship with Jesus Christ. Finally I noted how people seem to perk up when I declare warm thoughts about my wife. In a recent phone call a dear sister said she was amazed that such joy and peace is always evident. ( Her opinion is a little over inflated if you ask me…but it’s mostly accurate I guess...)

The preceding paragraphs can be summed up in a few lines. Even amidst financial uncertainties, physical struggles etc, when the peace of God reigns in your heart it WILL reign at the very center of your home. When Jesus is the center of a relationship, love will manifest itself. Peace and joy and butterflies fluttering around in you house is not the goal, it’s a secondary pursuit, essentially it’s a side effect. The pursuit of Jesus and walking in relationship with Him is the goal….every thing else will follow.

Are you married and struggling? Perhaps you just came out of a tough relationship. My brother and sister, pursue Jesus. Follow after the Lord with all that is in you and He will work on your other “stuff” We should be chasing the Creator not His creation. Make sense?

You may be wondering why there are no scripture references. Well, quite frankly because I want you to look them up. I’ll give you a hint. With-in these chapters you’ll find everything I’ve said repeated. …Psalm 37, Matthew 6, Ephesians 5

My prayer for you is that peace would rule in your heart and in your marriage. If you’re not married, I pray that the Lord would bless you as only He knows how. That the Holy Spirit would guide you to be in the right place at the right time and that He will give you wisdom and discernment. Amen