Real Transformation

I have a million and one things to do before 5:00 p.m. today, and it is 10:46 a.m.   This blog has unexpectedly become the one million and one item.  (Please forgive me if I ramble a bit…there is no time for a lot of editing today…this is right off the top of my head and straight out of my heart.)

In recent days, I have been able to truly empathize with David when he said, “Why so downcast oh my soul?”   So, what did I do this morning?  I followed the instruction in this verse (Ps. 42:5).  I put my hope in God.  I woke up and spent time with Him.

Titus 2 and 1 Peter 2-3 were the subject of my time with Him, and as I went about some of my Saturday chores, God’s words continued to roll around in my mind.  Romans 12 says that we are to renew our minds so that we will be transformed.   So today, all of the words in my mind finally made their way to my heart, for a truly transforming moment that also lifted some of my downcast spirit.

Are you ready for it?  LOL!   It is so elementary, you may be disappointed.

I am a better person today because of my husband.

You see, it is not extremely complex or philosophical.  It amazes me that it has taken so long for this truth to come to a transformational moment.  I have understood that this is God’s plan for marriage.  I have sat through many sermons where I have been reminded that marriage is used to make us more like Christ.

I have faithfully obeyed God’s commands about marriage to the best of my ability…for years.

And I have also fallen short of complete obedience…for years.   I am a sinner, and I will never be perfect at the marriage thing.

But this morning, I was reflecting on the ideas of marriage and submission.  My interactions with my husband over the years…both good and bad…have taught me how to interact with others.

I am a better mother, because of my relationship with my husband.
I am a better employee, because of my relationship with my husband.
I am a better friend, because of my relationship with my husband.
I am a better counselor, because of my relationship with my husband.
I am a better sister, cousin, aunt, daughter…because of my relationship with my husband.

I am not a better fisherman, despite my husbands efforts.  😦   But I do know a lot more about fishing!

Now, I have an amazing husband!   But before you misunderstand my words, let me share this with you.

I don’t get flowers everyday.  I don’t even get them every month.  Valentine’s Day is about it.
His speech is not dripping with romance.  Our relationship does not mirror the romantic movies that I love to watch.
He is not the perfect spiritual leader, never doing anything wrong.  He is a sinner, just like me.

God did not tell me to submit when my husband deserves it.  He told me to love and to submit to my husband because HE (God) commands it.  In doing so, He (God) has transformed me to be more like Christ.  And because of his virtue and his shortcomings, my husband, Chris Lay, has played a major role in this transformation as well.  God has used him in an incredible way.  (Chris, I hope that you feel how much God values you!)

How was I transformed?

First, I feel such an overwhelming sense of worth.  God, the Creator of all things, not only chose to use me, but chose to give me the incredible gift of Chris Lay in order to make me more like Christ so that I could serve Him even better.

Second, Chris is not just a husband.  He is not just to make me feel good.  He is not just to take care of me and protect me.  He is an invaluable gift directly from God!!  He is a good and perfect gift…even when he is not perfect.

My love for my husband has grown today, and today Chris did not do one thing.  God did.  He opened my eyes with a renewed perspective on the incredible gift he gave me almost 16 years ago.

I love you Chris.

Thank you, God, for such a good and perfect gift.  He is more than I could have asked for or imagined.