More Than I Deserve

Lauren,

Before starting work this morning, I stopped to pray for a moment. As I was praying, I started thinking about our anniversary trip tomorrow and our journey together over the past 10 years. My emotions flooded in as I stopped to realize how blessed I am that God brought us together as husband and wife. I thought back to that first year of dating and remember thinking how you were way out of my league (I still know this to be true). I was convinced you would kick me to the curb once you got to know me more. :) Before we met, I used to wonder who God would provide as my spouse, and I thought about what she would be like. Then while were dating, I’m thinking, “There’s no way this is happening. She’s everything I asked God for and more.” Before we met, I used to ask questions of God, such as, “Will she love the Lord? Will she be gorgeous (Actually, I think 'HOT' was the word I used)? Will she make me laugh and will we have fun together?” Praise God, because he fulfilled all my dreams and more.

What is even greater is looking back over the past 10 years of marriage. Seeing the wife and mother you are today makes me even more humbled and awed by God’s ability to bring two people together that can sustain and grow in love through marriage. It's funny to think that I never really wondered about life after marriage or asked questions of God about this time in my life. Probably because as a wise young single man, I already knew that everything after marriage is super easy. I'm finally with YOU, my best friend. We are finally together! Forever! It will be 100% bliss for the rest of my life. ***STOP, WAIT, WARNING, WARNING*** Yes, that was my view of marriage. I confess to you, it was all about me and how you were going to make me happy. Then I had more questions answered... You mean she's a sinner? And I'm still a sinner? She gets mad at me for taking 6 months to build a new banister? She won't let me get a new rifle? There's no such thing as a boat fund!?!? KEITH, YOU NEED TO RE-READ YOUR BIBLE. Marriage is not about you. It's about Him. It's all for His glory.

I'm still learning, but with a more biblically centered understanding of marriage, I love seeing how God brings us closer as we grow. I love to see how you continue to stretch me spiritually. How you love on our children. How you selflessly give of your time and energy for our family. I'm saddened you don't really laugh at my jokes any more, but other than that, you pretty much rock. And, yes, you are as HOT as the day I met you.

I know that over these 10 years, we haven’t done everything right, and we are still messy, broken people, but all of this further underscores the importance of The Gospel and what Jesus did for us on the Cross. We see each other’s sin every day. We live with all the ugliness that surfaces through our selfish actions, but through all of this, I am so grateful that we continue to come together at the foot of the Cross, and we look to God for forgiveness, strength, wisdom, and patience as we walk through this life together.

I love you Lauren, and I can’t wait to see what our future will bring as we relentlessly seek to demonstrate God’s view of Christ and the Church through our marriage.

Jackson Hole, here we come!! Happy 10 year Anniversary! I love you Baby!

Your Husband,
Keith