Thankful this Thursday for:
my husband, Derek.
Sometimes I am just amazed at how far God has brought Derek and me. For starters, we got married when we were not walking in faith. Just the opposite. We eloped to Las Vegas. That’s a story in itself. For another time. (Derek is flying home tonight from famous Las Vegas, where a trade show was held. He said it’s nothing like 1991. He was disgusted.)
We are coming up on our 17th anniversary in September. Two precious kids later. A teenage son and a preteen daughter. Add in a few moves–one out of state. We’ve been close to separating in our early years. Back then, I used the D word like salt. Let’s not go there on Thankful Thursday. 🙂
Today, we are closer than ever before. Thanks to God Almighty. He gets all the credit. God is faithful to my cry for a deeper relationship in marriage. He heard my prayers and saw my tears. He used a Christian counselor to teach us communication. For the past year or more, we go out on Friday nights for “date night.” I see growth and change. Not perfection, but more trust, fun and passion.
I no longer condemn Derek because of my wounded heart. I am healing. What a difference learning to forgive makes. Also learning to let go of my expectations.
I appreciate Derek. His effort to provide for our family touches me. As a father, he’s a die hard, showing up for every event possible. His commitment to his Christian brothers is amazing. He has attended a Bible study for more than a decade, even when we lived 50 miles away from this group. I am proud of his volunteer time with teen boys in jail. He and a couple buddies provide these troubled youth with hope and point them to Christ. Derek’s silliness makes our family laugh–hard. He’s got great voices and expressions. I am thankful Derek is my partner and my friend.
What a gift from God!
Derek, I look forward to making more memories with you..I look forward to growing closer as the years go by, Lord willing.
Thank you, Iris, Sting My Heart for reminding us to be thankful again.
Iris shared about an amazing child who had cancer this week. Visit her site to read how this boy touched her heart–and mine.
Girl, your testimony sounds similar to ours. I’m SO THANKFUL that GOD has turned our lives around. Kinda makes you wonder if more people would “stick it out” rather than seeking divorce what might happen.
Happy “TT!”
LOVE YOU!
What a wonderful post! So full of honor and respect. Just what a man needs. Thanks for your transparency and Godly example.
Have a blessed remainder of your TT!
Tiffany,
I sure hope Derek got to read this! What a beautiful tribute to such a special guy.
I know I’m blessed as well, cause I sure came into my marriage with TONS of luggage!
Glad you decided to join in today.
Blessings to you my faithful friend♥
Tiffany, What a glorious testimony of the faithfulness of Papa in your marriage. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary and we could have called it quits many times. So many wounds in us both just hurt the other. Praise Papa that He doesn’t leave us there.
My husband is our entertainment, too. He’s always got some funny story, song, face or action that keeps us laughing. I am thankful to have that!
As Papa heals my heart teaching me how to love ME, it is then I can really love my husband, children, others around me.
I am so thankful that Papa doesn’t leave me broken.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your beautiful words to me.
I am so thankful our paths have crossed and I look forward to journeying with you.
Have a blessed night,
Julie
PS. Papa led me to do a tribute to my husband a few weeks back too. I hope your husband got to read yours. David read mine and tears welled up in his eyes. They can never hear enough affirmation!
Thanks, ladies.
This is new and refreshing for me to speak life over my husband and the unity of marriage. But boy does it do my soul good.
Before, I was an expert at hiding. The backlash of shame…
What a beautiful tribute to your husband, may God always sweetly bless your marriage my dear friend. I love you.
This post is so beautiful and such a wonderful tribute to your husband and your marriage. May God continue to bless you both!
This is a great post. I don’t tell my husband enough how much I appreciate all the hard work he does for our family. Maybe, I can take him out to eat tonight and I will pay! Thanks for encouragement.
Have a great weekend!
Tiffany~
What an AMAZING post!!!!
Isn’t God AMAZING!!!!
You’ve touched my heart today sweet friend. I LOVE reading/hearing about miracles just like yours.
Sweet blessing to you!!!
Kim~
Tiffany, what a wonderful tribute to your husband, your marriage and the God who holds it together! Wow! thanks for Sharing!
Beautiful. Praise God for healed marriage. We went through very tough times and have been married nearly 15 years. I lift my voice with yours in praise to God who can heal all things.
Blessings,
Reese
God is so wonderful in choosing our mates for us. At least that is what Jim and I think. We have been married for 39 years. Each year is more wonderful and beautiful than the last.
We work to create good memories together.
We laugh because of the silly 7 year itch that is a joke for marriages. We never had one…instead we had difficulty in our 8th year. But God took care of it, then a real live attack from our Christian Pastor and Elders, God took care of that, then illness, and the list goes on. Thank God for His mercy and grace to keep the communication open between us, because like Tiffany said, that makes a huge difference in a relationship. That goes for people in your life too. If there are misunderstandings between two, it will fester until it gets straightened out, but if one doesn’t care, give it to God because the relationship won’t work without both parties working together.
Enuf preaching!
Good Post Tiffany.
Blessings for your marriage.
Love,
Jim and Paulette Harris
What an inspiration you are Tiffany. Thanks for sharing the good and the bad. I think God shared the good and the bad in the Bible to encourage us that if David could be a man after God’s own heart after some of the sins he committed then surely I can too, by the grace and power of God.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Tiffany! It allowed me to find your beautiful blog. I loved this post! It’s always encouraging to hear about marriages that work. What a great testimony to God’s faithfulness in everything, including marriage!