Today is a Special Day

So, no marital advice or standing tip today.  Today is a special day.  It's Serena's birthday.  Today, I want to celebrate her.

She has been more than my helpmate; she is the completion of who I am.  When God made me, He made me with certain things lacking.  He made me that way so that I would know my wife-to-be by the things that completed me.  You may not believe that there is one person destined to be our spouse.  However, I have a hard time believing that there is anyone else that could have ever possibly been my wife.

It was November of 1996 when we first met at her church in Yuma, AZ for a missions conference.  I was 19, she was 16.  We lived almost 500 miles apart.  I had no idea at the time that she was going to be my wife.  I just thought that she was a cute girl.  I wasn't of the mindset that I am now.  Now, I believe completely in the benefits of courting ONE woman with the intent of marrying her.  Back then, I just wanted to have a cute girl to date.

We started to write but after a couple times back and forth, I stopped writing.  No real reason other than I am a guy, still.  As I stopped writing and she faded from my current memories, I started dating a girl I worked with. It was bad from the start.  There were no redeeming qualities about that relationship.  It was not godly.  It lasted for about 9 months and I broke it off.

Soon after ending that relationship, I was back in Yuma for another missions conference.  We reconnected.  When she asked why I stopped writing, I told her that I just got out of a bad relationship and didn't want to have any dealings with females.  She proceeded to set me straight.  She told me that just because I had a bad experience with one not to take it out on all of them!  Well, let's just say she hooked me with that line.

After that week in Yuma, we started writing again and I made sure not to press my guy default this time.  I made sure I wrote.  We both opened email accounts and started writing more frequently.  It went from once every few days to every day to numerous times a day.  As we wrote I learned of her beliefs, her opinions, and her values.  In no time at all, I knew that she would be my wife.  I just didn't know the timing.  When we saw each other the following November (for yet another missions conference) I wanted to ask her to marry me right then.  But, I wasn't ready yet.

In May of 1998, as she graduated high school, I officially asked to court her...with her mother's permission, of course.  She said yes and then our relationship REALLY took off.  More emails, more phone calls, LONGER phone calls, and the occasional trip to visit.  On Christmas morning 1998, she surprised me by showing up under my family's Christmas tree.  I had no idea.  But, I knew then that she was not leaving without a ring on her finger!!

I proposed in front of the church I was assistant pastor at on New Year's Day 1999.  We were married 6 months later.  Those 6 months both flew by and crawled along.  Preparations for the wedding, long phone calls (almost daily), and the random trips to visit her (even when I shouldn't have spent the time or money to do so) helped to pass the time.

When we said, "I do" at the altar, it was our first kiss.  We had both purposed to save that as something sacred between us and the Lord.  It was hard but it taught us how to forgo the momentary pleasure for the reward at the end.  I think the night before the wedding was the hardest.  We had gone so long holding up that standard and we could see the end but we stayed our course.

Now, I have not always been the best at remembering her birthday.  I admit that I have failed many times in that area.  But, today I need for you (and her) to know how much I cherish her.

If it were not for her and her boldness and tenacity, I would not be here today.  You would not be reading this blog.  We would not be married.  I am thankful that somewhere along the way God deposited something in her spirit that refused to believe the worst about me and would cling to the truth of what the Father destined for me.

For me to call her my rock would be to put her on a pedestal that is reserved for my Savior alone.  But, second to Jesus and His sacrifice, I am most grateful for her.  She is the rarest gem that has ever been found.  She completes who the Father wants me to be and without her I would be a REAL mess.  She keeps me focused when I get sidetracked by life.  She keeps me grounded when my head gets too far into the clouds.

She is my closest confidant.  I can tell her anything without fear of judgment or condemnation.  I can share with her my insecurities without fear of them being used against me.  I can tell her my dreams and aspirations and she endeavors to make them her own and helps me accomplish them.  Whenever she sees a glimpse of what God is doing in me, she gently (and without need for accolades or acknowledgement) pushes me in that direction.

She is my best friend.  I can smile and laugh with her.  She encourages me when I am down and kicks me in the butt when I need it.  She is not afraid to put me in my place when I need it but with a submissive heart yields to me.  She will follow me to hell and back if she knows I have heard from God.

Babe, you mean the world to me.

  I thank God that He put you in my life.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't find myself amazed by your heart and your spirit.  I love you with all that I am.  May the Father continue to make you into all that He desires you to be.  Thank you for sticking by my side, even when I drug you through the mud.  Happy Birthday to the love of my life!!  I love you!!

Now, reader, will you help me give her the best birthday ever?  Will you fill the email with brithday wishes for her?  A prayer, maybe some prophecy, or something that she has said or done that has blessed you?  Will you send her birthday blessings from around the world?  Thanks.

Josh