No Way Out

I recently heard Andy Stanley compare marriage to our covenant with Christ. As soon as we entered into that relationship with Him there was no way out. It was a done deal. Signed, sealed, delivered (forgive my Stevie Wonder reference, love him). There was nothing we could do to make him revoke that covenant or walk away from us. And so it is with marriage. We must enter into our marriage with the same reverence. Jeff and I are currently in a mentor study group with an elder couple that is preparing us for our upcoming nuptials. The study is called 2 to 1. Two = one seems to be replaying in my head. It’s not an equation that makes sense and from the outside looking in it could easily be mistaken as losing your identity. But on the inside it is something much more powerful. It is probably the most vulnerable thing I will ever do next to humbling myself before Christ. Vulnerable in the sense that there is nothing that will not be exposed. Just last night I cried in Jeff’s car after admitting one of my biggest insecurities. Turns out he already knew about it, I’m not that clever. But he just quietly listened and then told me he loved me anyway. I didn’t wake up today magically ready to share all either. I still feel shy around him and what the future holds. Anxiety doesn’t let you off the hook that easily. It’s difficult to let someone in. Even with the silly mundane things. I sometimes leave the refrigerator door open. I don’t why. I butter my pop tarts. I add honey to just about everything and I even make up soups in the crock pot. Sometimes it tastes good, but a lot of times it doesn’t. These are things I’ll have to share. But the reward is that as we become one the trust intensifies. So much so in fact that with every conversation, fight, storm, and memory a foundation is built stronger. Someone always has your back. Someone who turns out to be the best friend you’ll ever have. Just a small replica of the great covenant between you and Christ. So here’s to no way out. Here’s to the first stone of our foundation. I love you Jeff.