{s e v e n}

So I'm kinda a hater of syrupy love posts. But I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed with gratitude.

Today, Michael and I celebrate our seventh wedding anniversary.

And celebrate is the miracle here. Because 2 years ago on this day, neither of our broken selves could imagine that would ever be possible. Not the way we had before or the way a couple hopes to.

BUT.... JESUS.

"And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" Rev. 21:5

And He surely is.

We've walked the valley of the shadow and there have been days we thought for sure we would die right there in the middle of the desert. There are times we wanted to. But in a place with no circumstantial water, it drove us with desperate thirst to the Living Water.

I've seen the profound beauty that comes from an ugly-messy marriage transformed in the hands of the Lord and I've been profoundly blessed by a husband who hit his own bottom and let Jesus grab hold of him with His gracious, merciful arms. And you bet it surprised this self-righteous wife when at the bottom of the pit, for the first time in our marriage, I experienced what spiritual leadership could be in a marriage. Because there is nothing like watching someone fall in love with Jesus. And as I watched Michael run desperate to Him and be satisfied in Him, I wanted that. It led me to dare to drop the pursuit of perfection and instead to desire the hope that is found in His all-sufficient grace.

And although I've battle the 'what-ifs', I am glad that the future is unknown to us and that I didn't know all that was to come when I walked that aisle. Because my flesh avoids pain...

But today, I can say with grateful tears, it has been worth it. And THAT is pure God-grace.

And so today is a celebration. Of all that our God has done in my life, in Michael's life, in our marriage. It's a day where we take a time to look back and remember all that He has already done because the road is hard and we are weak. But praise be to Him who is faithful and in whom we are complete!

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

-Matt Redman