Lately I’ve been pondering this: when you marry someone, you don’t know the person they will become. And the journey to “becoming” is quite the adventure.
When I married 25-year-old Bryce, he was just a current snapshot of himself. He was the only self he knew to be at that point (and a wonderful self I loved very much and couldn’t wait to marry!). But the last decade has brought wonderful changes to our lives together, and also to our “selves” individually. How fascinating to observe Bryce exploring, growing, changing and maturing over the years.
This summer I watched Bryce dig trenches in our yard with a tractor (next project in the works) and across the driveway I marveled at the man he is today. Who knew that he loved tractors so much?! When we got married, I had no idea he would love tractors or chickens or gardens or building tables or championing church small groups or fostering children.
This is Bryce in his becoming, and what an honor to be his wife on the journey.
This is my encouragement to you, my friends, and also to myself: let’s give our spouses (and our family and our friends) the space and grace to become. They will not be exactly the same person in ten years. That’s the beauty of God’s faithful work in our lives.
This is what the LORD says–He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters. . . . Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:16-19
Bryce and I celebrated ten years of marriage last August. As I think back over the past decade, I am thankful to Jesus for His protection and grace over our marriage. It is His faithfulness alone that has brought us to this place.
I am so thankful to be doing life with my Bryce Daniel. And I can’t wait to see where the next decade takes us!
PS: Want to read more about marriage? Here’s an oldie-but-goodie post about a season of hostility. “We can’t conjure up peace, oneness or a sense of connectedness. But “HE HIMSELF is our PEACE”! Jesus becomes the peace between us. We are “brought near [to each other] through the blood of Christ” and He makes “the two one.” No amount of therapy or sheer determination or trying to feel love again can replace the value of the Gospel in relationships.” Read more here!
