I used to think Jesse was a walking failure in way too many areas. He had character flaws up the wazoo, and what in the world was I thinking when I first started liking him? Was I seeing a Jesse double because that sure isn't who he is now! And for goodness sakes-can't he be as spiritually mature as I so totally am?
Thank goodness for the gift of the Holy Spirit. (And a good long look at my own flaws.) His continual prompting encouraged me to pray for almost 3 years that I would be able to see Jesse as God sees him. When it finally happened, it was like ten 100 watt light bulbs went off in my head. THIS is the guy I married? THIS guy loves me? I get to say that Jesse is MY husband for the rest of my life? Dang I'm one lucky girl!
Today my husband turns 29 years old. I've only known him since he was 21, but I can honestly say I've seen him grow up, grow stronger, and become such a good source of wise counsel-not just for me, but for others as well.
We've been blessed over the past 3 years to have gone through a very personal, in depth application to live overseas, mentoring prior to that, and a wonderful weekend of learning our gifts and weaknesses. Not to mention almost 2 years in a foreign country where we had to depend on each other for quite a lot. All of those things helped us learn how God had gifted each of us so that we can contribute more to His eternal kingdom and give Him glory in our every day lives. These things were just add-ons to God answering my prayer for wanting to see Jesse as God sees him. He didn't have to show me more facts about why Jesse is a man after God, but He did. He didn't have to show me how Jesse and I are a really good match because of how we balance each other, but He did.
I'm so grateful and proud to call Jesse my husband. He's not perfect. He still has a long way to go (as in, until he reaches eternity) before he's the man he wants to be. But I'm so confident in him because Jesse has a deep rooted desire to be the man God has called him to be. He's on his way and I can only pray that I'm a woman that helps him get there. I love you babe!
6 comments:
You're right, it's a privilege to be related to Jesse and now, by marriage, you too! Love you both!
What an awesome post, Julie. Very open, real, and honoring to your husband.
(BTW - Happy Birthday, Jess!)
I feel alot about Dan like you've expressed here. I was so blinded by my arrogance, I failed to see just how wonderful Dan was/is early on in our marriage. Now I just sit back and think like you... "Dang I'm one lucky girl!" :)
Julie, your post warms my heart. Those comments by a wife about her husband, are words that spur him on. You are a wonderful helpmeet.
This is a beautiful post, Julie. You both are blessed to have each other. Happy Birthday Jesse!
We agree! You are one lucky woman! Jesse is pretty awesome! Happy Birthday, Jesse! I'm SO glad you turned 29 before me. I certainly can't be the oldest one in our 4some. :) Hope your day is blessed!
Ooops! I realized that I can´t take a WI-Fi vacation... To many things happen! Happy Birthday, Jesse! Feliz, feliz cumpleaños!. I don´t know what was Julie´s present but I´m sure you loved this post.
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