It's a virtue

There are many things in life that I am not good at. For instance, quantum physics, refilling the car before the gas light comes on, remembering to close the cabinets, soccer (and the list continues). If anyone knows me, they also know that patience is not a strong skill of mine, and it is something I fail at time and time again. Patience. Just hearing that word makes me shudder and drop my head in shame. I. Suck. At. Showing. Patience. Sure, it would be awesome if I worked on it and got better at it, but how does a person just "work on" patience? <--a question I have asked my husband. I mean, really. Am I just supposed to pray really hard then go drive myself into a traffic jam? Or should I practice deep breathing before standing in line at Walmart?

We planted grass (from seeds...wow) in our front yard, and I asked Chris every day when our grass would start growing. When it finally DID start growing, I asked him why it was so patchy and how long it would take to fill in. We also planted a garden (if you cannot tell, this planting thing has been a process in itself for me!), and, now that our veggies are  starting to produce, I want to run out and grab every orange tomato off the vine.....before it turns red. Horrible. I know.

Anyway, all this to say, God has blessed me with the absolute most patient man as my husband. (And I will be the first to tell you, I do not make it easy for him.) Chris is so mild-tempered and humble while also being the most passionate and adventurous person I have ever met. I admire him so much for those qualities. When people ask me how married life is, I am honest  with them. I tell them it isn't easy putting someone else's needs above your own; it isn't easy sharing your personal space with someone all the time; it isn't easy learning how to best communicate; I tell them it is SO worth it. I also like to say that I have learned a lot about patience in the 3 months we have been married....because Chris demonstrates it to me daily.

Now, marriage between a Christian man and woman is to be a reflection of the marriage of Christ and His church. When I think about how patient my husband is toward me, I cannot help but be immediately pointed to Christ. If anyone has shown me patience, it is Him! I couldn't count the number of times I have tried to rush God or His plans, the times I have questioned Him, the times I have been angry because I want things exactly how and when I want them....and that look my husband gives me--that look of grace and compassion and love when I'm being a little brat--that look from him is nothing of the depth of patience, love, and grace in Christ's eyes. (And I've been testing HIS patience many, many years longer than I have been testing my husband's!)

It is amazing that God gives us such blessings here on earth that only demonstrate a tiiiiny fraction of His abounding love for us. When being shown patience feels this amazing, how can I not seek to demonstrate it toward others?

welcome to blog life

My dad has been telling me for a few years now that I should start a blog, and I finally decided to jump in. 

There is so much beauty, mystery, adventure, and love while passing through this life, and it deserves to be shared because it points to a life even greater and a love unfathomable. Hang tight with me as we join in on this adventure together, but remember that we are only passing through.