There are many people that get their Christmas shopping done early to get it out of the way. There are others who get it done early because when they see something in the store, they think of their loved one, and how this gift would mean so very much to them. Now, it seems strange that I would be speaking of Christmas shopping at the beginning of June, but in truth as I write this post it is February. There are times certain things happen that cause me to write a blog for a date down the road, or a blog of something that I want to mention down the road after a particular text that I preach. Well, when I read this blog I knew that I would post it on June 10. Why this date? Well, I try to post each Monday and Thursday - and Friday, June 11th is the Anniversary of the greatest event of my life outside my salvation; I married Rebecca Michele Brashear. The reason I thought of this way back in February was because I read this post:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/02/13/husband-and-wife/
God has used Michele over the last 16 years to exhort, love, listen, counsel and even biblically rebuke me. She sees me, her pastor, in the highest of mountains and in the lowest of valleys. She has watched me labor over the study of Scripture, and listened to sermons over the supper table well before I ever preached them in worship service. She has watched me lead our home and teach truth, and she has watched me fail miserably. She has watched me rejoice in my calling and she has watched me struggle, cry and even question staying in the ministry God has given me. She has been my proof reader and the first one that I ask “did I explain that text clearly?” When I read the statement in the afore mentioned blog:
And she will spend her life answering it, communicating to him in various ways, “Honey, I believe in your call. I know you can do this, by God’s power. Go for it.” In this way, she will breathe life into her man.
I thought of the countless times that in so many words Michele has said this. I know with her illness there is never a day she feels “100%” but there are few days that anyone would know, aside from me, that she has any illness whatsoever. She is tougher, smarter, (certainly more attractive) than I could ever hope to be… but she not only embraces my calling as her Pastor, but she embraces and honors my calling as her husband and leader. I stand each week before you and have the honor of teaching the Word of God, but the most wonderful ministry in my life happens through her in the shadows and back ground. Michele, I love you…thank you for saying “yes.”
