You Are Qualified…
Thirty-four years – celebrating a life together. As strong ocean breezes toss my hair, I wander back in time.
Years ago a prideful young man and a selfish young woman found a grace-full God and determined they would live a life with God at it’s center. It sounded so easy back then. Many lessons have been learned. Many rough edges have been smoothed.
This is how you spend thirty-fours years together: “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11 NIV) (confession: God brought it all, we were so naive).
Ever feel no strength, no power?
Us too. Many times money was way short, moods were dreary, and never enough hours in a day for all to be done. The presence of other believers, the prayers of many, and the unrelenting love of a glorious Savior saw us, and sees us, through all things.
Just what is the purpose of prayers for those God puts in our path? “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 NIV) But for those prayers and God’s grace, pleasing Him would not be on the radar for we are all self-centered. And bearing fruit – that of patience, kindness, goodness – those are hard to come by in the struggles of life. Only by way of God.
Whether you are single, five years or fifty years into your marriage – this world is going to fight against any relationship working out. For we are told to grab ‘happiness’ not to spread it. We are told to protect self not sacrifice for others.
Know why it takes a life time to know God? Why eternity is ours who believe right now but the fulfillment of it is yet to come? Because it takes a life time to learn that in all things, at all times we are to be: “joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:12 NIV)
You – me, we are qualified to make a marriage, parenting, friendship be all it is supposed to be – not because of anything we bring to it, but because God has set in our hearts His Holy Spirit making all things possible and working all things for the good of those who love Him.
parisrenae 
Yes, Amen. Those scriptures can be used for prayer with thanksgiving to declare our need of our Lord’s strength and grace to be victorious.
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Absolutely – praying back His Word is always the best and so comforting and confirming 🙂
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Congratulations on 34 years together! That’s a beautiful testimony. Love this: “You – me, we are qualified to make a marriage, parenting, friendship be all it is supposed to be – not because of anything we bring to it, but because God has set in our hearts His Holy Spirit making all things possible and working all things for the good of those who love Him.”
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Lisa, thank you, just got back from a quick anniversary get away 🙂 Blessings, friend, as the Holy Spirit works in you and through you – what a blessing you are and will be…
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Congratulations on 34 years of marriage! Loved this reminder that we need a lifetime to get to know God and eternity is ours now but the fulfillment is yet to come because it takes a lifetime to learn that in all things and at all times we are to be “joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light.”
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Debbie, Isn’t it great to know that although it’s a revelation to us that it takes a lifetime – our great Father knew from the beginning and is oh so patient and gracious – and LOVING! Blessings…
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Congrats on your years together. I like your comment about “It sounded so easy back then.” Can so relate. Life seems easy when young and inexperienced. Yup, we keep growing and learning and changing, and we will be far from perfect at the end of our life. And that is okay. God is helping us along the way. Thanks for your encouraging words today. Love the pictures.
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It is amazing that every step of the way God is there giving us enough light for each step – loving us even when we stumble. Blessings as you trust…
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Beautiful photos and thoughts. Thankful for a great God who lives in me!
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I am so thankful too – what a blessing to know grace covers us and the Holy Spirit is in us leads the way. Blessings as your thankful heart seeks His giving heart…
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Happy Anniversary! 34 years is something to celebrate, for sure. — Qualified through the Holy Spirit. I like that so much. He qualifies our naive selves, doesn’t He? I just don’t know how folks do marriage without God?! He’s the only strength sometimes, isn’t He? 🙂 Happy 34th, friend. 🙂
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Thanks much – yes, even to the very end the Holy Spirit works through us when we let Him and the Father’s grace and patience is such a sweet comfort…
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