Perspective

It's amazing the things you can see when you take a few steps back and get some proper (pro-per....sorry, folks, inside joke) perspective.

The past few days we have been in a bit of whirlwind of emotions.  All stemming from some wrong reactions to each other's words (which should be the topic of another post altogether).  In other words, we've been fighting.  Hey, we always try to be as honest as we can be.  But, tonight, we saw some really great things that helped us tremendously.

Tonight, we went out with a group of friends from our church to just have fun.  Throughout the evening we had the opportunity to talk with, laugh with, and just be normal for an evening.  No ministry objectives, no leadership commitments.  Just couples having fun.  Amongst the people that we got to be with were two different couples that have experienced a lot of the same things that we have.

They have dealt with marital infidelity in varying degrees but have come through that trial.  They are now on the other side of that and are experiencing some amazing restoration.  While all of the wounds may not be fully healed they are becoming restored and whole in all areas.  No longer do we see shame and guilt in the eyes of the unfaithful one.  No longer do we see hurt, anger, and resentment in the eyes of the one who was hurt.  We saw laughter.  We saw joy.  We saw these people that were broken a year or so ago, now building into other couples.

Seeing all of this taking place tonight puts our stuff into perspective.  Yea, we've been at odds for a little bit.  But that does not take away from the impact that God's story working through our life can do.  Please, don't mistake this for arrogance...."Look at what WE can do!!"  It is humbling to be in this place.  God, for some reason unbeknownst to us, chose us to show His restoration power through.  Why us?  We are nothing.  We have nothing tooffer.  And still He chose us to minister to a few so that, eventually, many can be reached.

How does this apply to you and your situation?  You don't know the full scope and impact of what your stand for your marriage is having on those around you, those you come in contact with, and those watching from afar.  You don't know...but God does.  He knows the people that can be reached through you becoming fully surrendered to His will AND His way.  You don't know whose life your stand will reach.  God NEVER does anything with only one purpose in mind; He sees every angle and possibility for everything that He does.  You think your stand is only for your marriage?  He has thousands of people that will feel the Kingdom's impact when you stand your ground for the things that will move the heart of God.

This is why we write this blog!!  This is why you can't give up now!!

Josh and Serena