Are You All In?

Wow, 32 years. We’ve been married 32 years! Even to me that sounds like a long time. If I had pictures scanned into my computer I’d show you two young adults who had no idea what this life was going to bring.

Cheering for siblings as they sang in concerts and played ball while working at  shoe store and learning to manage motels started our time together. Our two wonderful children were born in home territory. Then a move away from the old home territory to make a life/family name for ourselves. (I thought my Mom was going to disown us for taking her Grand-babies away) Mark’s business career took off and we made wonderful friends. Then we were given the opportunity to use his hospitality business savvy for the Lord by leading a Bible camp ministry. Amazing the way the Lord works. That led to further growth by joining a church plant and on and on it goes. Each season different, amazing, challenging and did I say amazing?

What’s the thread that held us together? God. God’s love is the only thing we can “hang our hat on.” Without God, well let’s just be real – these 32 years would have looked a lot different.  The other thing I can say is we were/are “all in.”  Awhile back I talked about faith this way too. We’ve observed that when you are not “all in” to whatever you are doing eventually you get bored and discontent. Then you start complaining more and participating less. You know what I mean,it’s like that attempt to learn some new sport or craft. You read about it or maybe go to a class,you might even buy a few supplies or equipment to really make it happen but mostly you just  talk about doing it. You don’t really “do it.” Before you know it that craft is just pieces of stuff taking up space in your house.

Our marriage is not just taking up space in our life. It is our life. We’re all in and I am very thankful for 32 years of life with my husband. I love you Mark!

“Whatever you do work at it with all you heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” Colossians 3:23