Tempus fugit, and yet it seems to go by so slowly at the same time. That is how it feels looking back on the past six months of my relationship with Jake. Incredulous I stand, exuberance flooding my heart and spilling over at the ages. I am still in awe at how God brought us together, and how the impossible became hopeful and the confusion became exceedingly clear. If you had told me in January that I would have been dating Jake by November and oh-so-in-love, I would have called your bluff. Since dating him I have been sad, frustrated, confused, and yet have laughed, kissed, hugged, loved, cuddled, and cried tears of happy joy. I have been encouragingly challenged and emotional, while also having been shown so much love and unhesitatingly forgiven. Being in a relationship with someone is like revealing your inner core, the real you, or like having a doctor lay you out on a surgical table under the bright light and rip you open. When someone is so close to you, they can see that part of you that is ripped open and hanging out, the ugly insides, where the truth, inevitably, is exposed. It is scary and terrifying, and at times humiliating to the point of tears being vulnerable with Jake like that; and yet, I know how precious and important it is for us to be real with each other, and to see God's grace as He works in and through us. God has truly blessed us, and I know for a fact that it is ONLY because of Him that I am dating Jake today. He continues to mold and shape us as we seek him through his word individually, and as we encourage each another daily. I am so thankful for the godly woman that I desire to be for Jake, but I recognize that it will only come as I seek to be a godly woman for God first. He is the only one who can help me to live out my faith and who can show me where I need to change to continue to pursue holiness.
Our six month was actually yesterday, and we spent the whole day together celebrating this wonderful milestone in our relationship. It's no fifty years, that's for sure, but in this day and age, six months is an anomaly! We went to see Disney's A Christmas Carol in 3D (which was the first time he had seen a movie in 3D) and then we went out for food at this Greek restaurant we have been dying to try out for a long time. The food was excellent(we had pork souvlaki that was both delicious and largely proportioned), the price was right, and they even stayed open for us a bit longer, so we had the restaurant to ourselves! It was a delightful day that will never be forgotten.
I am both hopeful and expectant for whatever God has in store for us in the future, because He has given me such a peace for the present.
I love you, Jake!!! Thank you for asking me to be your girlfriend! You are such a wonderful gift and an amazing man, and I am proud to call you my boyfriend!
Love always,
Ash
1 comment:
My dear Ash and Jake too
This was a beautiful note to read of how you celebrated your first 6 months of dating and getting to know one another and establishing your relationship with a special evening out together.
You are growing as you learn more about one another and you are striving to give God first place in your lives and we will continue to pray for you both that He will lead you in the direction that wants you take for your future lives.
May the adventures of this first 6 months be just a glimpse of what a whole life together could hold for you.
Be blessed by Him in whatever He has for you.
I leave you with these thoughts I received in today’s devotional
REFINING YOUR SKILLS
Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you. 1 Timothy 4:14
God has blessed you with an array of talents and opportunities that are uniquely yours.
Are you willing to use your gifts in the way God intends?
And are you willing to summon the discipline required to develop your talents and to hone your skills?
That's precisely what God wants you to do, and that's precisely what you should desire for yourself.
As you seek to expand your talents, you will undoubtedly encounter stumbling blocks along the way - things like fear of rejection or fear of failure.
When you do, don't stumble!
Take those concerns to God in prayer, and then keep walking in faith, refining your skills and offering your services to God.
When the time is right, He will use you - but it's up to you to be thoroughly prepared when He does.
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If you want to reach your potential, you need to add a strong work ethic to your talent. John Maxwell
Lots of love
from NAN
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