Don't marry the person you think you can live with;
marry only the individual you think you can't live without.
~James C. Dobson~
marry only the individual you think you can't live without.
~James C. Dobson~
A year ago today I traded in a life of independence, for a life of surrender & great reward. For all of those who know me, you may know me as a small feminist, one who has always struggled with certain terminology in the Bible relating to women & their roles in the home. I grew up a tomboy, living in a "man's world", playing rough sports & NEVER wearing pink. I went on to learn a profession that is male-dominated and work in field that is rough and dirty. I'm strong-willed (the nice way of saying stubborn) and independent, so when God put Andrew into my life I had to make a change. I knew in the back of my mind and in my heart that our marriage would never last if I did not fulfill the role in our relationship that God had called me to...the role of a wife.
In Ephesians 5:22 the Bible says, "Wives, submit to your husbands...husbands love your wives." This verse used to really get on my nerves...no seriously it irritated me, it got my heart pumping and got my mouth ready to debate. My desire to be in control of all situations and have the final say did not match up with this verse at all...and it did not fair well in our relationship either. During our engagement we argued a lot...more than I had ever even argued with my sister :| It felt hopeless and at the end of each struggle I did not feel that I had accomplished anything, only frustrated myself & him.
In the summer before we got married we lived a couple hours apart & during those four months I met an amazing woman of faith who truly opened my eyes. Her name was Chelsea and she too was engaged. Over dinner one night, we were discussing that verse and I voiced my frustration. She looked at me and told me this: she was blessed to have found a man that she trusted and loved enough to submit to...the chance to surrender herself to him was a gift! She made it sound beautiful. If I loved Andrew & truly trusted my life to him, why would I not want to submit & surrender. In a healthy marriage submission is a sign of respect, of reverence, of love (and it reaps some pretty awesome rewards too ;) )!
So here's to my husband...my best friend, my stronghold and my good night kiss!
In Ephesians 5:22 the Bible says, "Wives, submit to your husbands...husbands love your wives." This verse used to really get on my nerves...no seriously it irritated me, it got my heart pumping and got my mouth ready to debate. My desire to be in control of all situations and have the final say did not match up with this verse at all...and it did not fair well in our relationship either. During our engagement we argued a lot...more than I had ever even argued with my sister :| It felt hopeless and at the end of each struggle I did not feel that I had accomplished anything, only frustrated myself & him.
In the summer before we got married we lived a couple hours apart & during those four months I met an amazing woman of faith who truly opened my eyes. Her name was Chelsea and she too was engaged. Over dinner one night, we were discussing that verse and I voiced my frustration. She looked at me and told me this: she was blessed to have found a man that she trusted and loved enough to submit to...the chance to surrender herself to him was a gift! She made it sound beautiful. If I loved Andrew & truly trusted my life to him, why would I not want to submit & surrender. In a healthy marriage submission is a sign of respect, of reverence, of love (and it reaps some pretty awesome rewards too ;) )!
So here's to my husband...my best friend, my stronghold and my good night kiss!
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