Due to the fact that I've been called to a ministry that serves "in front" of people, I sometimes get asked for a "bio". Evidently, people want to know who that is standing up in front of them. :) It's a high honor to serve in the way that God has called me, but being in front of people didn't come naturally to me. That's another story for another time.
Anyway, recently I was asked for a short "bio" on myself, and as I typed these words, "...married to my highschool sweetheart..." I stopped and thought, "what do people think when they read that?"
Because God forbid it conjure up some idea in their minds that we live in some fairy tale land where we fell in love at 16, and have danced around with birds chirping love songs over our heads ever since. Because God and these walls of our home as witnessess, know that's not the case.
God has blessed me with a Godly man, who now more than ever, desires to live out the life that God has called him to live and in the way that God has called him to live it. And I do too. But it hasn't always been that way for him, or for me.
We've struggled with God, and we've struggled with each other. To paint the image that our life and relationship is perfect, would deny the truth of the times during intense arguments where I've muttered, "I hate you" under my breath. ouch. Of course I'm much more mature now, and no longer say I hate you, but something like, "I hate it when you act like that."
We are blessed in the fact that we don't argue much. We really don't. But oh when we do, it seems like the world is falling down around us.
We started dating when I was a junior in high school. We broke up for several months sometime after my graduation. (Denny's 18 mths older than me.) But when we got back together, we stayed together.
On the day of our wedding, I was 19, he was 21. So young. And yet, I am SOOOOOO thankful for God giving Him to me. I think my favorite thing about being married to my highschool sweetheart is that we literally grew up together. We've learned how to be grown ups, together. (hold the jokes friends) ha. We've learned to be responsible together. We've learned that credit cards can get us in trouble. We've wrestled through how to raise these kids of ours. We've learned to fight...and make up. But to give off any impression that we live in some fairytale land where we've done everything perfectly would be far from accurate. :)
I am so glad that God chose us for each other. I love my high school sweetheart more than words could ever express. I can't imagine a more perfect match for me than Denny, nor would I have wanted to do all these years with anyone but him...and sometimes the birds do chirp over our heads, but other times they drop a load. :)
4 comments:
Thank you for sharing. Our story is very similar; started dating at 16, broke up after graduation, but then married at 20. Same kinds of struggles.....same stories of happiness...glad to know there are other Christian couples that went through "issues" as well....You have encouraged me to share my feelings with my husband this day! Thank you!
Well said. Thanks!
How blessed you are to have recognized that Denny was God's choice for you waaayyy back then! These days teens seem to think that quantity is the key to quality when it comes to dating relationships. They can't seem to grasp that sometimes God does show you your mate even though you're young. I don't think that always means you need to marry young, though. As you said, its an opportunity to grow together. Godly wisdom is the key to knowing His will.
Love this and love you guys. :-)
Post a Comment