We were both single parents with young boys who had issues of their own and we were coming to terms with "dating" and such. But through all the ups and downs God had a greater plan. He surrounded us with people that saw beyond what we saw... who prayed with us and for us and encouraged and supported us through Jesus Christ.
After being a single mom for so many years and being the head of my own household I got married and it was a difficult transition. Now I had to submit to my husband. It wasn't easy - but we got through it. The adjustments with the boys was also a tough challenge... but we got through it. And yes the list could go on and on and the result was the same we got through it.
There are times when I may speak about my husband and my marriage as though it is PERFECT... but you see that is not the case. We are two sinful people that came together with each of our baggage and issues and problems and put them all under one roof. Now that is a tough mixture but in the midst of it all the main ingredient was Jesus Christ. Though we were not perfect and had all this stuff to deal with... God knew exactly what each of us needed - and He bought us together.
Even though I am married to a man who is not perfect - Raymond is perfect for me because he was given to me by God. And that is the main difference and that is why Psalm 37:4 is my heart verse... I wasn't out looking around in desperation - yes I wanted to get remarried, I wanted to have a husband, I wanted to have a family - but I was delighting myself in the Lord and claiming His promise - that He would give me the desire of my heart and in His perfect timing... He did.
In my heart I do have the perfect husband because He was the gift that God gave to me. Above all Raymond LOVES God... God is above everything... Raymond loves me despite all of my nuttiness, craziness, loudness, all my quirks, and the list is a long one - but he still loves me and one of the most important things to me as a mom is that he accepted and loved my son Ben as his own... he truly truly loved him and gave of himself (in his own way) to Ben even in the midst of heartbreaking moments, he did love him and never gave up on him - like I am sure many others would have.
I'm a daddy's girl... You see my father is everything and more that I could ever have hoped to have in a parent, but is he the perfect husband, lover, partner? Not really - he has his baggage and the chances of my mother saying that he is, are dismal! LOL But yes, I've spent over four decades knowing, loving and respecting him and everything that I know, love and respect him for has unconsciously, formed the benchmark when I prayed for a husband. Despite my dad's and Ray's imperfections - they both believe in something Greater, hard workers, responsible, providers...
Our relationship, our marriage is not about us - its about Jesus Christ - and keeping our eyes focused on Him because He is the only one that can give us the strength and wisdom to go on when everything becomes too much.
Thank you my husband for loving me... for making God the center of our home, for taking care of me and our family... for encouraging me and supporting me to go outside of my comfort zone and for encouraging all my GREAT and not so great ideas. You are a gift from God and I am sooo grateful for you. Thank you for being obedient to Him. I am a blessed woman.
