how to be a better servant?

I must confess that recently I have become a big fan of other people's blogs. A couple of the blogs are written by people I know, and one by people I don't know at all, but who are friends of friends of ours. What do all of these blogs have in common, you ask? Each one is maintained by a married couple who have epitomized what it means to have selfless love for their spouses. As I read them, I am amazed at how they speak of one another, with such honor, respect and awe. They express a genuine desire to serve each other. And through them, the Lord is moving my heart...

As George and I approach our third anniversary next month, I have been thinking a great deal about the kind of wife I have been, and consequently, the kind of marriage I have cultivated. I love George, and he loves me, but have I been the kind of wife who has set an example of loving, selfless service to my husband? Do I put his well-being before my own?  I have to admit the answer is no. Instead of being thankful for my husband, I take him for granted on more occasions than I care to admit. 

These thoughts have led me to reflect on scripture that has been continually popping into my head, no doubt at the Holy Spirit's prompting. "you are fearfully and wonderfully made" - truly, as a child of God, my husband is just that.  "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"  - how many times have I thought of and done things for George with the attitude that he is my beloved, and not just someone in my home capable of doing something for me? how many times have I spoken of him with honor, respect, and awe? regretfully, not enough. 

While all of these reflections can seem to be very discouraging, I am feeling blessed that the Lord, in his infinite goodness, has not allowed discouragement to fall upon my heart.  Instead, He has filled me with the determination to change, deep within myself, and be the wife He designed me to be, the wife He designed for my beloved.  He has also given me faith to believe that in becoming that woman, a woman who respects her beloved, putting him before my own needs, our marriage will prosper in ways I could not have ever imagined.  For nothing is impossible with God.

 

Summer - almost

Well, I am almost a month into my new job, and I am really having a good time! I have a lot of different responsibilities, and I am normally pretty busy, which is how I like it. I never like being idle at work. So, its really feeling like a great fit for me. I have great colleagues, and its a terrific environment to work in. 

We finally have our house unpacked! It feels good, and we are looking forward to having friends and family over. My parents are even coming out for Thanksgiving, so the pressure is on as I make my first thanksgiving feast! But I'll have my dad and George's dad to guide me, so I'm not sure I could go wrong!

George and I are also having a great time with our niece, Luna. She is four months old now, and she is laughing and smiling up a storm. She definitely knows us, and its really rewarding to see her recognize us when we see her! George even changed his first diaper ever! Fortunately for him, she smiled and cooed at him, so he had it pretty easy! I can remember a time when diaper changes had her screaming. So he was eased into the whole process. She is awfully kind to her uncle George! 

This weekend we will be going to my friend Susan's wedding in Fort Dodge, IA. I get to sing for it, which is a great privilege. Hopefully, the flooding up there won't make travel too difficult. 

That's all from our little world. All our love,  Emily and George