Faithful in the Fray

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, Jeremy and I are currently living with my parents. It has been the biggest blessing during this time of transition in our lives to know we have a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in, and food on the table. While we are forever grateful, when the opportunity arose for us to house / dog-sit for a couple from our church we jumped at the opportunity. A house to ourselves again? Sign us up. Our week started off a bit crazy as one of Jeremy and I’s good friends was in town after being out on the missions field since January, and then we had my sweet niece’s first birthday, but the times in between were pure heaven. 

  
One of our top love languages is quality time, and while we are married, it’s hard to find intentional quality time together. This weekend was just what we needed. Friday night I got home from work, put my hair up in a messy bun, changed into a t-shirt and pajama pants, and Jeremy and I sat on the bed and watched endless hours of One Tree Hill. Our new TV obsession. We stopped only for food, and a quick trip to the store to get the essentials, (the tonight dough ice cream and magic shell, because duh.)

Saturday morning we had strict rules (from my parents) to sleep in and get rested before camjam’s first birthday party! We had an absolute blast. I found a similar doll to what I had as a child for her and she loved it, it even giggled! When we got home from the party we changed into comfy clothes, and turned One Tree Hill back on. We spent the next 8 hours or so watching, talking, cuddling, and just hanging out and being best friends together. Honestly, I’ve forgotten what it was like to just be together, not talking about finances, or jobs, or surgeries, or the future, but just what was going on right in front of us. We had really good conversation and would whisper ‘I love you’ to one another at any given time.

  
Sunday afternoon we went and saw War Room. Oh, bless my soul. This movie was so spot on. While we are not struggling with marital problems, we have been fighting the enemy when it comes to different circumstances in life. During one part of the movie, Elizabeth, as played by Pricilla Shirer, was at the end of her rope, and during her prayer she repeats “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” It’s no coincidence she repeats this line three times, tears streaming down her face. In the next scene she stands up and walks out of her closet and into the kitchen. She then walks around her house, proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and the enemy has no place in her home. She began to shout that he held no place in her life, her daughter’s life, her husband’s life, and so on. Tears were streaming down my face and I felt the Lord begin to speak. “The enemy has no place in your marriage, no place in your jobs, no place over your body, no place in your children, he has no place. He is fear, and evil, and doubt, while I am hope, goodness, and faith.” Throughout the remainder of the movie she began to thank Jesus for what He was doing, the grace He was extending and instead of preparing to fight against God, she joined forces and allowed Him to fight for her.

  
When the movie was done and Jeremy and I were driving home, I looked over at him and said “isn’t it crazy that the more time I spend with you, the more times I compliment you.” I’m pretty good at words of affirmation, and encouraging people, and sometimes my sweet husband gets overlooked. How true is that of us, with our walk with the Lord? You spend your time helping everyone else, running yourself on empty, and hoping you can say a prayer before bedtime, only to get up and do it all over again. Then one day, you make that time, and it becomes something you crave. You spend more time talking with Him, and telling Him of His goodness. Your prayer life increases, your running on ‘overflow’ rather than empty and in turn able to help that many more people. You kick the devil in the face, proclaiming God’s goodness over every area of your life, and jump up and down for His glory. It’s won’t be easy, because that’s not what it’s about, but what I can tell you is that it’s the most rewarding.

  
I’m not sure where I wanted this blog post to go, I just felt like I had things on my heart I wanted to share.