“What’s that thing?,” my hubby asked, with a nod toward the kitchen table.
I’ll have to admit that my thrift store globe looked kinda strange with a fresh coat of chalkboard paint. Like one of those rubber kickballs we had in elementary school, only black.
“I’m working on a Valentine’s Day project,” I replied.
“You’re something else,” he said while making his exit with a shake of his head.
What is “something else?” Do I take that in a good way or in a bad way? A criticism or a compliment? A comment like that could have, at one time, sparked any variety of response from me!
Marriage, even good marriages, can be so hard.
Maybe you, like me, have experienced either internal or external stressors that build to the point of making you feel like you’re going to break and you end up taking it out on the one who knows and loves you best. There may be words, tears, stoney looks, and silence. Put two strong willed people together and there can be a huge impasse.
Over the course of our marriage we’ve been through many ups and downs, and since we’ve come out much stronger, we love sharing our experience, strength, and hope with others. When you put yourself in a position of teaching others though, they tend to look up to you and see only the success. What they may not see is the hard work, sacrifice, late nights, tears, adversity, doubts, disappointments, courage, determination, risk, failure, persistence, change, struggles, and prayer . . . LOTS and LOTS of prayer . . .
...and the work continues . . . because the marriage relationship is never static. Click To Tweet
When I was thinking about what to write on this Valentine’s Day globe I thought of all kinds of romantic verses I might use. Then I remembered John 3:16 in the Bible, which represents to me, God’s ultimate Valentine to us, Jesus.
When we – my husband and I – were mired in our stubborn, ugly, selfish ways, Jesus is the One who came to lift us from our life of bondage and set us free to live life to the fullest in Him.
Sometimes even now, when pressures build, it takes deliberately recalling just how deeply stuck-in-the-muck we were and reflecting on God’s amazing grace toward us, to extend grace toward one another.
Remembering renews our faith in God’s power to restore and gives us much needed strength to move through the mires of this complicated life.
Along this path there will come those things that hurt us, but in order to remain in right relationship with God and each other we make the choice to forgive. That releases God to work in our hearts to heal the hurts and will ultimately grow our love even stronger.
Sometimes walking through the hard times in marriage is a fairly simple stroll, side-by-side, spurred on by belief in the commitment we’ve made to one another. Sometimes the walk is more difficult, two people clinging tightly to one another as they sludge on through together. Sometimes it is one pulling the other with all his or her might to bring them both through to firm ground on the other side.
We are lucky (though I know it’s more than luck), that it isn’t just the two of us, but that we also have God on our side.
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Eccl. 4:12 NLT
That’s the reason this Valentine’s Day post is for my two Valentines, my husband and God, because we wouldn’t be a WE without Him.
Moving on to another conversation a few days later:
Mr. OTN: Did you see that I tried to call you earlier?
Me: Yes, I’m sorry I missed your call. What did you need?
Mr. OTN: I was on my way to work and I was simply overcome by how much I love you. It brought tears to my eyes and I wanted to tell you.
Amazing love, amazing grace, amazing work of the Lord in our lives.
Click on the link to download this Free Printable: ForGodSoLoved
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY DEAR FRIENDS AND GOD’S RICHEST BLESSINGS TO YOU,
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
TheInspirationGallery, Still Saturday, Recommendation Saturday, Make My Saturday Sweet
Michele Morin says
February 8, 2016 at 6:52 pmOH! This is so sweet! And I love your “God so loved the world” globe.
You really are somethin’ else!
Melanie Redd says
February 8, 2016 at 7:25 pmLove your project! Love your post!
Marriage is an adventure, isn’t it!
You’ve painted such a great picture of the reality of marriage that sticks it out!
I look forward to sharing your post~
Blessings,
Melanie
Sam @ Living The Dutch Dream says
February 9, 2016 at 7:09 amMy hubby has exactly the same reactions to my projects lol. I bought a second hand light up globe for my daughters bedroom a couple of months ago. Whilst I was in the charity shop I saw that they had loads of them all for around €3 a piece. I think I need to go back!
Gina says
February 9, 2016 at 8:29 amI think you little vignette is sweet and very meaningful!
Deb Wolf says
February 9, 2016 at 8:53 amLOVE this! I’m working on my marriage/love post for tomorrow and I just want to use yours. 🙂 You described it so perfectly. AND your globe is such a great idea. Thanks for inspiring me as always my friend!
Rose says
February 9, 2016 at 8:53 amGood Morning Patti~
What a beautiful post.
Sometime we do get stuck in our marriage – asking God for the help is the best communication I know.
Then you are able to communicate with the one you love.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Rose
Sarah says
February 9, 2016 at 1:30 pmYour globe is a darling idea. The phone message is valentine enough! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Alice Cone says
February 9, 2016 at 2:30 pmPatti, you are so refreshingly honest and truthful in your humble but bold testimony for our Lord. It is amazing to witness how God uses our stumbling and falling through life to His glory if we just are faithful and true to acknowledge Him in all things. Love your subtle statement which says “I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation….Rom. 1:16
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
February 9, 2016 at 2:58 pmI LOVE your globe Patti… and even more the sweet sharing of how your husband called you overwhelmed with love for you. That got me thinking. As touching as that is… and IT IS… how much more we should be overwhelmed with the love our heavenly Father has for us. John 3:16…. Thanks for this!! Great post and your creativity for the ‘holiday’ was spot on! {{hugs}}
Megin says
February 9, 2016 at 4:23 pmWhat a beautiful post, Patti! The globe (and verse) are just perfect. And I simply {adore} your old Seattle (my hometown!) print! Thank you for pouring your heart and soul out into the beautiful Valentines Day post. It’s good to remember that even long lasting marriages aren’t perfect. Life is hard and messy but so much better with God’s love and grace!
Megin says
February 9, 2016 at 4:24 pmForgot this part!
Thank you for sharing this week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight).
~ Megin of VMG206
Valerie Sisco says
February 10, 2016 at 10:01 amHi Patti,
I love the globe — what a clever idea! {You have the cutest ideas!!} And what wonderful sweet words your husband told you! You are a lucky lady, indeed! 🙂
Pat says
February 10, 2016 at 12:22 pmPatti,
This globe needs to be seen ” ’round the world”, dear friend!!!
Have you been inside my head . . .and my heart???
These thoughts of what “Mr. Ed” and my relationship has been the past 20 years
began to make me realize, with God’s grace, we may still have 20 good years ahead!!!
I have prepared, in my heart, to tell “Mr. Ed” almost exactly what Kelly phoned to share with you!!!
Thank you for being his messenger!!!
Happy Valentine’s day!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Jann Olson says
February 10, 2016 at 10:45 pmPatti, the ‘I wanted to tell you how much I love you’ conversation gave me goosebumps. What a sweet man! Your globe turned out great and love the vignette! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Renee says
February 11, 2016 at 8:49 amI really think this is a great idea! What a beautiful way to display a Valentine’s Day decoration and at the same time adoration to our Lord. And yes, marriage is difficult but when both keep Christ the focus, it’s amazing what we can get through 🙂
Crystal says
February 11, 2016 at 7:43 pmPatti, what a lovely post reflecting a God-centered marriage. I truly enjoyed how open you were about the struggles you faced, what an encouragement that is for those who may be experiencing similar trials in their marriage. May you and your husband continue to have many more Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Dianne Thornton says
February 12, 2016 at 8:50 amPatti, this is a beautiful tribute to the love you and your husband share–and your love for God. I love your globe! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Betty says
February 13, 2016 at 2:35 amThank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop
Carol Cook says
February 14, 2016 at 2:39 pmEverything was a great message, but I cried when your husband said he was overwhelmed with how much he loves you.
Sometimes my stoic husband gets sappy and it means so much when he expresses his love.
Happy Valentine’s Day and thanks for Sharing Your Cup!
Colletta says
February 14, 2016 at 4:31 pmWhat a sweet, lovely post! I love the globe 🙂 I hope you can stop by:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/02/songs-on-sunday-amen-by-steven-curtis.html
Colletta
Sharon H says
February 16, 2016 at 8:04 amWell….I don’t why it is that I’m just today reading this….it’s beautiful; thank you for sharing.
I’m still trying to figure out how you held that globe and got that verse on it without messing it all up! I’d say Mr OTN is right. You ARE something else!
And speaking of Mr OTN….bless his heart….he probably wonders if what he says will make it into your blog post. LOL I think you have a “Keeper” in him.
Blessings my friend,
Sherry says
February 18, 2016 at 12:30 pmOh, that globe is awesome! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!