a&b

So...let me share with you a picture of a godly relationship that I've been really blessed to have come across. I came across the xanga of a man called Aaron about two years ago and I was transfixed by a lot of what he had to say about God and life and love and people. He was in Eygpt at the time, learning arabic and living as a Christian in a Muslim country. And then in one of his posts, he described a young woman in his life. I kept reading...and then I came across her xanga as well. Like Aaron she is passionate about the nations, and in her xanga she also shared a lot about her relationship with Aaron. I've been blessed to have seen this journey through from the stage of singleness, to courtship, to engagement, to marriage...and I can't describe their relationship so here are a few of Bridget's entries, to give you an idea:

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Bridget:

Quality time with Aaron.
Hours spent driving across the bayou with my beloved.
Intimacy of conversation.
The unity of our hearts.
Seeing our best friends for the first time in months.
Rejoicing, singing, and worshiping with them.
Interceding with them and for them.
Prophecy.
Fulfillment of prophecies.
True fellowship.
Peace.
Rest…

These are the things that filled our weekend. How can I share with you how wonderful this weekend was for us? Really, who would've guessed God would use three days in Texas to do so much work in our hearts. I’m not even sure how to describe it. We went to Tyler for Ronnie and Lindsey’s wedding but God did so much more. He stirred us up, refreshing our passion for the Church. Our hearts, our eyes and our hands were lifted to Him… even as he revived our love for each other. The Lord opened my eyes to new depths of Aaron that I’ve never seen before. The more time I spent with Jesus this weekend, the more I realized my boyfriend looks so much like him. My breath is taken away.

I can trust him. And now I can rest. Now I can wait. Now nothing really matters, but the Lord our provider. For He is good, so good to us. The more we fall in love with Jesus, the more we fall in love with each other. I'm amazed. I'm overwhelmed by the Lord. Thinking of what God's plans for Aaron and I will often make our hearts skip a beat. We stand in awe. We pray. We choose to have faith. The beauty the Lord is bestowing on our relationship goes far beyond what meets the eye.

Today we are the clay in his hands. And to extent that we give ourselves to Him is the extent that He fashions us. Understand that the tying and knitting of hearts that is taking place in us today is founded on the solid base of hearts that were surrendered wholly to the Lord long before we met each other. I honestly believe God began preparing me to partner with each other years and years ago.... when we were both single and alone.

As I visited Tyler this weekend, I realized how important singleness is. It's not something we can simply skip over, but singleness is a beautiful season ordained by God himself. Everyone must walk through it. For some it may last longer than others, but be encouraged- the Lord wants you to embrace it just as you would anything else he would have for you. Singleness is a gift and a blessing. It's a treasure. And so much of the single experience depends on your perspective. Have purpose, and you will not falter. Know that purpose well and discouragement will flee. The Lord wants to be your joy. He longs for his children to rely on his love and on his great strength. And until we realize that his love is better than life and truly embrace every part of our God we will not be ready to embrace and love another in such an intimate way. How can we profess to truly love if we know not the Author of it? Singles, God wants all of your love right now. He wants you to seek his heart. And it is in that seeking that He make you the Lover that, yes, He has created you to be...

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New things are coming. Fresh vision, fresh passion and renewed dreams. God is reminding me of things spoken years ago. Prophecies, dreams and words of wisdom.... about my future husband, our future family and our future ministry are being brought back to the table of my heart and thoughts.

I remember the days when I dreamt just like a newlywed to Jesus. He would tell me stories as I slept and I would waking up sing praises to Him. Often the first thing I'd do when I got out of bed would be to sit and write down the dreams I'd had the night before.

My dreams consisted mostly of a few specific things: children, the nations and my husband. In my dreams there was almost always spiritual warfare or some completely adverse situation to overcome. However, I remember one thing was always the same. Whether we were nursing the wounds of children in Africa, or leading persecuted orphans to safety in India... the voice of the Lord was always present in my dreams. In every dream, I knew God was with us. Psalms 97:5 says that "the mountains melt like wax in the presence of the Lord" and that's the kind of presence I felt. There was never a time when I didn't feel the Lord standing right beside me. These dreams challenged me and stirred my faith in the Lord.

In my dreams I would preach, in my dreams I would love, and in my dreams I would cry. In my dreams the Lord would break my heart. He would teach me. He would speak to me. He would affirm me. There were a few dreams I had of what I believed to be my future husband. Though I had never met Aaron, I remember encountering a man just like him in my dreams. He was always gentle and loving. I remember seeing the Lord's compassion for me, in his eyes. I remember forgiveness and grace. Though I hardly could distinguish any features on his face the man would usually have brown hair and was fairly taller than me. I remember his voice was soft and his countenance glowed. I remember feeling safe with him. It felt like a part of the Lord's heart had just come down from heaven to be with me.... and how awesome it was.

I never dated during my teenage years. I'd never gone out with a boy my entire life. Yes, my first date was with the man I will marry. The first boy to hold my hand was my husband to be. And our first kiss will be on our wedding day. All this is owed to the grace and glory of God, but it wasn't always easy to wait for Aaron. Especially 3 or 4 years ago... when all of my friends had boyfriends. But when I felt alone, it was the Lord who wiped the tears from eyes. And it was Him who wrapped his arms of love around me when I longed for a man to hold me in his arms. I remember a few dreams the Lord gave me where I saw a vision of my own future wedding. I saw a vision of a bride and groom whose eyes brimmed with passion for God and love for each other. But I didn't even recognize the woman to be me until I woke up later that morning. (Read the full dream here) In another dream as I was resting, the man knelt beside me. I immediately recognized him in my heart as being the man I'd marry and wanted to get up and walk with him but he said "no dear, please rest for one more hour..." Yet another call to wait. I believe the Lord sent me these dreams to encourage me.

Now, the day is drawing close. Many people comment on how young we both are. I am 19 and Aaron is 22. I'll be turning 20 the day before the wedding, Aaron will be 23 in January. I'll admit that we don't know everything about marriage, and that it's probably going to take us a lifetime to learn. But I this is what I do know, that if God is author of our faith and the ultimate director of our hearts- I know that we are in his perfect plan. And though we may be young, God has been preparing us for this very day long before we even knew each other's names. When I was seventeen God deeply challenged me to begin preparing myself to be a wife. And to be completely honest with you, it freaked me out. I wasn't looking at getting married anytime soon and frankly, the thought scared me. But in obedience to the Lord I really began praying for my future husband and thinking about the future.

Some ladies have asked me, "So how did you know Aaron was the one?" And that's a good question. The truth is God never struck me with a bolt of lightning and sent messengers to tell me "Thou shalt marry this man..." It was more like me getting to know him more and more every day and finally praying, "Lord, if it be your will...ummm... I would really love to marry this man!" God brought our paths together and we became best friends. And after many nights of praying with tears and consecrated every part of our relationship to the Lord, Aaron pursued me. You all should ask Aaron about his side of the story. I'm sure you'll hear something very interesting! Somewhere along the way I think we just both realized how clearly our lives compliment each other. Our love story is truly a harmony crafted by the creator. And I promise you, no man could script a story so beautiful.

Why are we getting married? To reflect the awesome, ever-present love of God to each other to others. To display his passion for the church. To encourage and edify and serve one another. To work together in teamwork, as friends and partners, to complete God's will for our lives. God loves it when his children come together. God loves unity. Ecclesiastes says that two are better than one. "If one falls down, his friend can help him up." They can keep warm. "...though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Basically, right now I'm realizing that there is so much God wants me to accomplish as a wife. I have so much to learn. But instead of becoming intimidated, my faith in the Lord is becoming restored. A marriage based upon the strength of two people is sure to falter, but a marriage based upon the rock of the Word of God is built upon a foundation that will not crumble. Our strength is in the Lord. Our hope is in His name. Our faith is in the One to whom the earth belongs and all that is in it. Realizing who God is, will teach us who we really are... and why we are really here. How blessed it is, to have a partner to run beside. And how blessed is to have a God who wants to see us through every step.

P.s. Aaron took me on a date tonight.... and let me tell you I have the hugest crush on this man! He sweeps me away with his smile, and the way his eyes dance when they look at me. The way he prays and talks to Jesus still gives me chills when I'm with him. Last night when I got home from work he surprised me with candles in my room and he washed my feet. He was so excited to serve me. After that he shared a word with me and we worshiped, but I couldn't help just looking at him. And I smiled.... this is the man that one my heart. This is the man...

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My husband is wonderful. How blessed am I to be his wife, the one who sees him every morning, who kisses him before work, who prays with him in the night.

Sometimes marriage can be really serious, like when we're trying to work through an argument or make a decision together. Sometimes marriage can seem extremely cute, like when you're sharing a sentimental moment (snuggling) with your husband on the couch and your puppy jumps up and wedges herself between you two trying to get in on the love. And sometimes marriage can just be hilariously childish and funny, like when you have tickling wars until you both laugh so hard you can't breathe. Or when your husband uses way to many fresno peppers on the romantic Malaysian dinner he cooks for you and you're too afraid to tell him that the food is too spicy... but he can tell by the tears of joy in your eyes.

Now I know what some married friends of ours meant when they inscribed in a wedding card, "Don't sweat the small stuff. Live and love, forgive and love, forgive and love, forgive and love, forgive and love!" God's hand is truly on our marriage. He's guiding us every single day, even when we can't see it. Sometimes Aaron and I just at a loss about what to do, but that's exactly where God meets us. Our encouragement is this- that God will never leave us nor forsake us. He is with us and He goes before us preparing a way for all that He has called us to.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46: 4-7, 10