Marriage Monday -Beauty as seen through the eyes of my husband

You are altogether beautiful, my darling;
there is no flaw in you.
Song of Solomon 4:7

I am one of those women who struggles with weight and acceptance. This is not a new thing, I think I've dealt with it on many levels for many years. I know there are many women who face the same struggles I do and very often feel discouraged and defeated because of it. I come from a family of 10 kids and we come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes I compare myself to the taller, thinner ones, and say "why me".

Steve and I have been married now for almost 16 years. He has seen me through several diets, and encouraged me various ways as I struggled to lose the weight and then eventually gain it back. He has never made any kind of statement that has made me feel bad about my appearance. I do find at that all by myself. He has always just listened and tried to help me. But there is one thing he said to me a couple of years ago that has stuck with me and always makes me smile, and thank God for Steve.

One day I was complaining (again) about my weight and the struggle that it is to constantly be thinking about it, and what I should and shouldn't be eating. Saying that I was tried of the way I look, and just feeling down. Steve looked at me and said the most beautiful words that he ever could. He said "Kim, God made me addicted to you". WOW, God gave my husband eyes that even though physically I may not consider myself beautiful, he sees me as beautiful! I am continually amazed at the true gift that marriage can be. When two people become one, God gives them each a gift. One of my gifts and one of my husbands gifts is that "God made him addicted to me". He (Steve) loves me with a Godly passion. He sees me the way God wants him to see me!

So many women struggle with what I struggle with. It is one of those battles that I think about often and pray about. Wondering as Paul sometimes may have, why God doesn't take this thorn away. But what I have that many women sadly don't have is a husband that sees me as God sees me! Oh how I wish more men recognized how they would encourage and lift up their wives if only they opened their eyes to see what God sees!

Thank you Chrysalis for allowing me to join you and the other ladies in speaking of one aspect of Marriage that I treasure!

Reflecting the Word...droW eht gnitcelfeR

A few years ago someone (I think it was Jennifer Hill) told me about putting verses on the mirror of our bathroom for the kids (and us, who am I kidding). I started putting one on everyday, then went to one a week, hoping that reading the verse everyday would get it into the kids heads. When we remodeled our bathroom I stopped doing it.

On Valentines Day I decided to write "Happy Valentines Day" on the mirror. This prompted both kids to ask why I don't put verses on there any more. I asked them, "Do you want me to put verses on there?" and they both said "YES"! So I have been putting one or two up a week since them.

Here is a picture of my verse:

Isaiah 49:23b Those who hope in Me (God) will not be disappointed.

and this is what I found on my daughters mirror the other night:

Proverbs 1:10 My child if sinners entice you, turn your back on them.

Needless to say it made me SMILE BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Pillar of Cloud

Today started out no so good. Whether because of lack of sleep; a conversation I had last night that is weighing on my mind; the fact that so many parents today seem clueless to what culture is teaching their children through smutty shows (insert any show you can think of here, I am); the issues I still am working through after stepping down from my position as Director of Children's Ministries, or the fact that I am in "waiting" mode, but I was melancholy to say the least.

Fast forward to me taking the kids to school early because Jeremiah "forgot" until 9:30 last night that he had Social Studies homework. We turned unto Lake Michigan Dr. (for those familiar with the area) and BOOM - God showed himself! The sky was the most beautiful pink color. Jeremiah said "you can thank me now" (those that know him insert sarcasm here). So we travel down the road and I make another Michigan U-turn (gotta love um', not), and there in that most beautiful pink sky was a beam of pink shooting straight up! Just like a Pillar.

BOOM! God tells me "I am with you, I go before you, trust Me". WOW! I love when he does that! I wish I were like Mari and always keep a camera in my car (which I did actually say to my kids btw Mari), but alas I have no picture of the actual beam. This picture is the closest I could come.

Here is some of what the Bible says about the Pillar of Smoke:

Exodus 13:21-22

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 14:13-14, 19-20, 24
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (A verse I memorized, not a biggy, but a biggy!)

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.

The Pillar of Cloud was a sign of God's presence with His people. It was a reminder that he was going to take care of them and fight for them. It was a comfort and a shield to them. It was a guide to them by day, and a light to them at night. A constant presence and a constant guard.

He is that for me (and you) as well! Praise be to God we are not alone!!! He is going before me and He is going to be the one fighting the battle. I just need to be still and then remember to follow Him!

THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS REMINDER!!!!!!!!