6 Months

(James) 6 months might not seem like a landmark for many people or for most relationships, however today truly stands as a landmark for Katie and me...

The profound thing that I have found about relationships through our open and honest dialogue with other couples is that what most people see on the surface is only a fraction of what actually exists within the hearts and homes of those individuals. Over the past few months we have heard countless stories from other couples that reveal the trials, seasons, challenges and struggles that every relationship has had to go through in order to be where they are today. Without fail, every couple has struggled.

I can honestly say that in preparing for my marriage I was expecting there to be trials. Yet I have found that you never really understand until you've been there. It's like gearing up for an endurance race or challenge. Although you know that it is going to be hard, your preconceived notions of what it will be like pale in comparison to those grueling moments in the race in which you are literally telling yourself, "This was probably the worst idea that I have ever had. I honestly feel as if I am going to keel over and die if I take one more step. I know without a doubt that this is the worst pain that I have ever endured." The thoughts, as irrational as they may be, seem ever so real in the moment. Don't they?

God gave Katie and I the verse from Ephesians 3:17 which references the concept of being "Rooted and Established in God's love." Sounds pretty enough right? Love... tree images... what could be so hard about that. The process of becoming "Rooted" has proven to be so much more stretching and trying than I could have ever imagined. Maybe it is because I am a severely broken man and need that much refinement, maybe it is because I have such high expectations, perhaps it is because I have a calling on my life that will require so much internal and inter-personal work before I will be able to steward it all.

In praying for our next six months, God continues to give me the word Establish. As much as I was holding out for "movetoafrica", "drummingforhillsong", "professionalskiministry", or "sailthegreekisles" God finds it suitable and wonderful to give us the word Establish. The good news is that much of the ground work has begun. The "Rooting" process is well underway and for the first time, Katie and I are getting to lay some foundations. Katie shared this verse with me last week. Isaish 28:16 "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken." The foundation, being Christ is also the same foundation that He wants to build within us. And once the foundation is secure, the building can begin, and the building, I am sure, brings forth so much hope and joy. If you have ever seen or have been a part of a house building project, it isn't until the first wall is up that a structure actually looks like something.

And so in this next season, as God begins to establishing upon his firm foundation, I eagerly anticipate seeing the first signs of growth; the first bit of green rising through the surface of the soil and the first wall rising from the ground. Within both Katie and I, we have a sense that what is to come is greater than what either of us can imagine and more incredible than what our small beginnings might hint at. If the size of the roots are any indication of what is to grow out of us... then watch out world.