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The man pictured here is one of the most wonderful examples of a husband mentoring his wife. (a little authoress bias? Nah...) If you know me well, you have heard me say that I have become the woman I am because of Christ and the amazing man I married.
Eight years ago today, my husband proposed to me on a snow-covered mountain…with surprise beach picnics, mountain-view dining and a red rose-lined path in the fresh snow…the story can rival any I have heard. (Just ask someday, and I’ll share all the amazing details!)
But that’s not where it all began…let’s go back a little further. It was our senior year at George Fox, when our courtship began. And it was then that the man I would one day marry began a lifelong commitment to mentor his bride.
His willingness to lead me, teach me and encourage me to grow have been life-changing.
He charts the course for our marriage & family…In our journey through Ella’s diagnosis, birth and ever-changing challenges, his strength and leadership were and have been paramount in the formation of my healthy and right thinking about our sovereign God and suffering.
He provides leadership and proactively plans for the future…the formation of our marriage constitution, the reshaping of our budget and his convictions on the attitudes & behavior of his children…are a few examples.
He is motivated & pro-active…staying in tune with his wife and household and staying ahead. He is not a man who would rather not be bothered in regards to “all the home-stuff” or “can’t we just deal with it when it comes up?”
Eight years ago today, my husband proposed to me on a snow-covered mountain…with surprise beach picnics, mountain-view dining and a red rose-lined path in the fresh snow…the story can rival any I have heard. (Just ask someday, and I’ll share all the amazing details!)
But that’s not where it all began…let’s go back a little further. It was our senior year at George Fox, when our courtship began. And it was then that the man I would one day marry began a lifelong commitment to mentor his bride.
His willingness to lead me, teach me and encourage me to grow have been life-changing.
He charts the course for our marriage & family…In our journey through Ella’s diagnosis, birth and ever-changing challenges, his strength and leadership were and have been paramount in the formation of my healthy and right thinking about our sovereign God and suffering.
He provides leadership and proactively plans for the future…the formation of our marriage constitution, the reshaping of our budget and his convictions on the attitudes & behavior of his children…are a few examples.
He is motivated & pro-active…staying in tune with his wife and household and staying ahead. He is not a man who would rather not be bothered in regards to “all the home-stuff” or “can’t we just deal with it when it comes up?”
Parenting challenges, financial hurdles or personal struggles are not annoying interruptions, but rather opportunities to properly lead, encourage and model for me the best way to bring glory to God in that situation.
He is vigilant…keeping watch over his family, his home and his wife. The things we read, watch, and dwell on are of great importance to him, and are topics we often discuss as we model and mentor our children.
Some of my favorite gifts are the books I’ve received from him. Titles like “The Ministry of Motherhood”, “Biblical Womanhood in the Home”, “Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God” and “Future Grace”, have filled my mind and encouraged my heart. Through these intentional gifts, he is often the one who “introduces” me to some of my most influential mentors.
He is confident in me, his wife…consistently affirming my gifts and encouraging me to follow through with the leadings the Lord has placed upon my heart...whether they be in parenting, my friends or my vocation.
And my mind is flooded with many other memories in days past where he has taught me, guided me and asked questions of me that opened the truth to my mind. And more importantly, encouraged me to seek Christ and know Him more.
Now let me reiterate one of my first comments…this mentoring did not start after we were married or about year 3…no, it began when we were courting and it has never stopped.
He is vigilant…keeping watch over his family, his home and his wife. The things we read, watch, and dwell on are of great importance to him, and are topics we often discuss as we model and mentor our children.
Some of my favorite gifts are the books I’ve received from him. Titles like “The Ministry of Motherhood”, “Biblical Womanhood in the Home”, “Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God” and “Future Grace”, have filled my mind and encouraged my heart. Through these intentional gifts, he is often the one who “introduces” me to some of my most influential mentors.
He is confident in me, his wife…consistently affirming my gifts and encouraging me to follow through with the leadings the Lord has placed upon my heart...whether they be in parenting, my friends or my vocation.
And my mind is flooded with many other memories in days past where he has taught me, guided me and asked questions of me that opened the truth to my mind. And more importantly, encouraged me to seek Christ and know Him more.
Now let me reiterate one of my first comments…this mentoring did not start after we were married or about year 3…no, it began when we were courting and it has never stopped.
The Lord has used this man to bring me closer to Himself.
And that is the greatest blessing of all.
Happy Engagement Anniversary to you my husband, my mentor, my love.
I love you.
Happy Engagement Anniversary to you my husband, my mentor, my love.
I love you.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing with the word,
so that he might present the church to himself in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
Ephesians 5:25-27
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2 comments:
Happy Engagement Anniversary!!!!!
My God Bless your Marriage every day in a fresh new way. What a wonderful example of a Wife following after Jesus. Thanks for sharing your wonderful life and amazing story it is great encouragement.
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