Friday, January 12, 2007

This weekend in Tulsa is expected to be an absolute mess. The weathermen have foretold an ice storm that is to begin today at noon and last until Sunday evening.

While this carries with it certain romantic projections, it is potentially, extremely dangerous.

In case you are wondering what romantic inclinations might be implied, Deanna and I will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary on Sunday. That is pretty exciting!

While the precipitation is not likely to allow us to get away, it is also not likely to bring any unexpected interruptions. That should translate to a quiet weekend at home, together, to recognize what the Lord has done in our lives.

I am so very much in love with my beautiful wife. She moves me in amazing ways.

Twice this morning, she stopped her morning routine, settled into her prayer posture, and sought the Father. I do not know why. What matters is that she is doing so, and that He is listening. He knows her heart, and desires to answer.

We live in an age when half or more of all marriages fail. The numbers are no better in Christian marriages than in secular ones. That scares me a great deal.

It does so, because it is a reflection of how selfish we are and how little effort we who are supposed to be an example, are willing to invest. Perhaps she was praying for those who can't hold it together, who are more interested in serving their own desires than their Savior.

Perhaps she was praying for the many children that she serves who go home to lives without fathers. Those who rarely see their mothers, because they are working two jobs to try to keep what is left of their family together. These children long for a life with both parents. What impact it might have if their parents loved and honored Jesus with their lives.

Likely she was lifting up our daughters. She will not see them again for months. This bends the maternal bond to a breaking point, and causes a deep longing that is relieved, but not resolved by routine phone calls.

Maybe she was lifting up our dear friends. The many who have stepped in at crucial points in our lives to show Jesus to us. For them, I know she is most thankful. We talk about you all a great deal.

I know for certain, she was seeking the Lord to care for her son in a way she no longer can. How often we ask Him to embrace Beej, to let him know how much we love him, how much we miss him. How she longs to sit with him awhile and tell him so many things. She misses the walks with him, where her role was to listen...and she did...and she wants to again.

Such joy he had. Such joy he lived. Such joy he continues to experience in unbelievable ways. How she longs to share that with him.

Perhaps she was praying for me. Her love is always present and routinely demonstrated in ways I do not deserve. She is the embodiment of grace. Truly, the Lord gave me an enormous gift in her.

She seeks Him on my behalf, for health, for wisdom, for drawing ever closer to Him, and for many other things. I would not be half of who I am without the full assault on the Throne that she has spent.

No man could be more loved by his wife. If every man had what the Lord has given me, there would be much more peace in our world, more contentment, more joy.

I am most humbly grateful for Deanna. I do love her dearly, and know that I am unusually blessed.

Thank you Father, that she prays, that she talks to You without fail, and listens to Your heart! Please bless her incredibly. She has endured much. She has given much. She has been spilt again and again on your behalf. Please Lord, bring peace to her longings, and joy to her every breath.


brent

7 Comments:

At 10:29 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Proverbs 31
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Praying always for all of you. \o/

 
At 12:51 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful. God has truly blessed each of you in amazing and real ways that reach far beyond the two of you!! May he continue to bless your love for each other; your respect for each other; and, mostly, the thirst to continue to grow together in Him!! Happy Anniversary.

 
At 2:45 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!!! 24 Years is an amazing accomplishment these days...sadly! That in itself tells how devoted you are to the Lord and His Will only!

What an amazing portrait of Deanna you painted this morning. This is how we all need to act and react to God, and to our hearts. She is a wonderful example of a great helpmeet!!!

I pray you stay safe throughout the storm, and spend precious time together huddled in the house celebrating 24 years of marriage. I think God is sending this storm at this time for a reason....:o)

God bless and keep each other warm!!

Agape~
Linda Anderson

 
At 12:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Parents!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU!
(that was me singing it to you..could you hear it?!?)

I pray that this weekend is a special one. the weather is terrible here as well! Mom is the most graceful woman i've ever met. Her eyes are always on the Lord, nothing more, nothing less. and she has always made that very clear. Thank you, mom, for pointing me to Jesus.

i love you both!
praying always..
~kristin

 
At 5:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your words ring so true!

Happy Anniversary tomorrow!!!

Love you guys!

~Katie

 
At 12:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brent and Deanna,

Happy Anniversary!

I love you guys!

 
At 1:43 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

you both are incredible!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! =)
Love and prayers!
Mary

 

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