Loving Bravely

Twenty years ago today I woke up thinking for some people today was just an ordinary day. A day to run errands. A day to rake leaves. A day to watch kids play football. A day to stay in and watch movies. But that day for me was no ordinary day. It was my wedding day. My guy and I waited a long time for each other. Finally, today was our day.

Living bravely means loving bravely. God has given my guy and me twenty years of practice. What does that look like for us?

It looks like saying please and thank you many times throughout the day because kindness counts.

It looks like choosing to show honor and extend grace without the word deserve attached.

It looks like being his biggest cheerleader even when the way seems unclear.

It looks like never putting him down in front of others.

It looks like saying, “I’m sorry” first.

It looks like not forgetting that date nights are still important.

It looks like making time to pray together.

It looks like saying, “I love you”, every single day.

And so much more.

Looking at this list shows me it’s all about choosing. Choosing US over ME. That’s a brave way to love.

The verses we chose for our wedding have proven foundational over these twenty years.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14

Loving bravely is honed over time. In walking through the hard stuff of infertility, adoption, adoption disruption, job loss, chronic illness, job changes, and moves, we’ve had many opportunities to “put on love.”

My guy is not perfect, but he is perfect for me. I’m a blessed woman to be loved so bravely.

 

This is day 9 of 31 days of Living Bravely. You can just click here to read the rest of the series.