One Year and Hope

I will post a bit more later regarding our anniversary, but we are rapidly approaching the one-year married mark. The last year, to me, is a testimony of redemption. Several years ago, I was in the midst of a very dark season of my life, having lost hope of life ever being joyous again. That sounds like an exaggeration, but it is truthful to the emotion of those moments. I know now that my perspective at that season was too temporal and self-focused, but when someone is walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, it is easy to lose sight of what could be beyond that valley. When all you hold are a handful of broken pieces, it is hard to imagine how your life could come back together again. A year ago, I wrote about redemption I had seen in my life. Now, almost a year later I can continue to share that there is hope for the hopeless, for those who feel lost, broken, rejected, and shattered on the torrents of life.

A year down the road, I celebrate the growth, the joy, the friendship, and accomplishment of time well spent. On a personal note, much of this is due to my beautiful friend and wife. Not to discount our hard work to support each other and resolve conflict, the last year has been far sweeter and easier than I could have imagined. We have done so much in a year, and despite a thousand places where our love could have gotten off-track, we are celebrating a wonderful year together. Our first year of marriage has far exceeded my expectations. It makes me anticipate what a marriage could grow to be over the years. In a culture where marriage has taken on such a negative stigma, I am delighted to have a different story to tell, a different hope to bring.

In this season I am especially grateful to my Heavenly Father. I know that apart from the good things He has poured into our life, I would not be here to share my happy story. I do not want to overspiritualize, but I cannot say it strong enough that God has been my source of redemption. I cannot credit the change to my great ideas or stubbornness to hold on. Truly, there is a reason to hope for the future, to trust in Him despite the difficulty of the moment, and to lean on Him when you cannot bear it all yourself.

Cheers.