My amazing husband!

Wow. I really do not do well at keeping up with this blog! I think now that I seem to be doing better health-wise, I will try my best to devote more time to writing. Of course, I've said that before!!!!

I really like to write about my thoughts. Sometimes, I will start mulling over a topic in my mind, and it just stays there for a few days. It keeps coming back over and over again, and I feel that is God's way of telling me it is something important. All too often, I just keep pushing it aside, because I tell myself that I am too busy to devote the time to writing down my thoughts.

In an attempt to remedy this situation, I want to share my latest topic of thought with you. Over the years, I have heard many messages preached about the home, especially how the husband should be a picture of Christ in the home. Here's how my mind works: In thinking about this subject, it occurred to me that I have the perfect example right in front of me - my husband!! Now, before anyone tries to argue with me, I am not saying my husband is perfect. He is human, after all! But the story of how we met, and our life together so far is a beautiful example and picture of the way Christ loves and cares for us.

Let me try to explain: When we are lost, it is often compared to being blind, stumbling around in the dark, trying to find our own way. In addition, sin is sometimes compared to a disease or an illness, for which we cannot find a cure. We try all kinds of things on our own - we might go to church, we try to do good deeds, we might even try to pray and read the Bible, in an effort to make ourselves 'feel' better, but underneath it all, we still suffer from the effects of sin.

When I first met my husband, I was already experiencing some health issues. I had been to the doctor, had a lot of tests run, and they hadn't really found anything wrong.  Shortly after that, I realized that I was having trouble with my vision, and I went to have that checked out. The news was not good - I had Diabetic Retinopathy. I would need to receive Laser treatments and have surgery on both eyes, and they could not tell me how much of my vision I would retain after all of this.  Steve and I met online, and we had been corresponding by email, and then by phone, but we had not yet met in person. I remember the day that I told him over the phone about my various issues. I honestly thought after that conversation, that I might not hear from him again. That's a lot to deal with, and I really would not have blamed him if we wanted to turn and run the other way!

Surprisingly, he did call back. Again and again! I asked him about it after we were married, if he had second thoughts because of those problems, and he said he never even thought about it. We finally met for the first time the day before Thanksgiving. He drove all the way from Tennessee to Iowa just to be able to meet me. He stayed for the weekend, and made the drive back on Monday. I went to work that Monday, and that was the day I decided I could no longer work, since my vision was getting so bad. My plan was to return to work at some point, but that never happened, and I am actually on disability now because I am considered legally blind. My first eye surgery was scheduled for December 17, and Steve wanted to be there for it. I think that was when I knew he was the one! He spent the week after surgery at our house, patiently waiting while I spent a lot of time sleeping (anesthesia really knocks me out!) Every time I woke up, he was there, sitting on the couch across from me.

So, here's how the two stories come together and parallel: When my husband married me, I was sick and blind, but he loved me in spite of it all. He didn't have to,  He wanted to. He helps me every step of the way. He guides me when I cannot see the path ahead of me. He holds me and comforts me when I am sick or hurting.
When Jesus saved me, I was sick and blind from sin, but He loved me in spite of it all. He didn't have to, He wanted to.  He helps me every step of the way. He guides me when I cannot see the path ahead of me. He holds me and comforts me when I am sick or hurting.

I am so blessed to have my husband in my life. I truly do not know how I would survive without him. His faith and love are both so strong, and he encourages me to be stronger as well.