Every marriage tells a story.
Our story began with deep, shared convictions around what we believed about God, marriage, family, children, and the rest of life. We believe that it was easy for us to align our perspectives because God had preordained all the details. He knew that our waiting for the right spouse would finally be satisfied in His perfect timing.
Moving into that relationship felt like a natural extension of everything that had come before. Though there were plenty of prior examples, at least on my part, of thinking that I had things figured out ahead of time. Convictions held too strongly. Passions pursued too intensely. Ideals dreamt about too loftily.
But God, in His grace and kindness toward both of us, knew that exactly what we needed was a life spent walking hand in hand with one another.
There have been a lot of changes since our starry-eyed start together – a lot of life lived and a lot of opportunities to prove that God’s plan is indeed best. From job changes to miscarriages to facing realities about our own mortal coils, each year that passes shows us just how much we rely upon God, and that far more than we ever did before we were married.
Who would have thought that we would end up here? Who would have thought that God would show us such grace? Not only carrying us through those tough times but giving us hope for our shared future? Who would have thought that ten years’ time would not leave deep scars as it has upon many of our friends?
Yes, this marriage tells a story: That story is that we have been shown much grace.
It has been an absolute joy, the absolute crown of my life, the absolute pinnacle of my time here on Earth…and I know it is still only beginning.
Life together has completely reshaped my ambitions, dreams, and what I consider to be worth my time and attention, even against other important pursuits. Those changes would not have been possible had I been traveling alone – or with any other person – because God saw fit to yoke us together.
For that, I can’t thank Him enough…and do so every day!
I don’t know what the next decade will bring. The only clear path forward is the one that we walk together. The years ahead of us will (prayerfully) dwarf these ten that have passed so far.
Every marriage tells a story. Who would have thought that this was the one God had planned for us all along? I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the future. It is an honor and a privilege to be journeying together, as Charles & Kathryn.