There's a great Marc Broussard lyric that goes like this....
"It blows my mind to think that I've found grace in someone else."
On it's own it may not seem so profound but let me give you some context.
I've been married for twelve years. We've had our ups and downs. We've moved a ridiculous amount of times to be a non-military family. We're rasing the three most amazing children on the planet. But when you get to the real couple behind the kids, jobs, house, cars, friendships and hobbies, what is really there? Well, two very imperfect people chasing after God and learning to love each other better in the process. Hang on though because this post is just about to start.
The "earning factor" is what most of us struggle with in a relationship with Christ. As humans we love to earn, deserve or prove ourselves worthy of what we're given. This is impossible with God. His grace is what makes life and relationship possible. His giving of exactly what we aren't worthy of, we don't deserve and what we're incapable of earning. He showers unfailing love, forgiveness and mercy on us. I continually give God every reason in existance not to love me, to give up on me, to leave me on my own. But He doesn't and He never will.
Now, back to Marc Broussard and my marriage.
I may be slow on the uptake with this one but I was overwhelmed by just how much my wife Anita has shown me God's love. In our twelve years together I've disappointed her, been selfish, lied to her, been unfaithful (mentally or emotionally is the same as physically in God's eyes), failed to provide for her, treated her as subordinate. In other words, I've given her almost every reason stop loving me, to give up on me, leave me on my own. But she hasn't and I believe she never will.
I've found grace in someone else.
She loves me and respects me not because I'm a great man. I'm actually pretty terrible at that. She loves God and honors Him by honoring me. She loves Him by loving me. She pushes me closer to Christ by showing His character and compassion to me.
Thank you Anita. I'm a better man because of you. I'm a better dad because of you. I'm a stronger and deeper Chist follower because of you. Your love to me truly is His love to me.
