We landed in Atlanta after a torturous last travel day of our honeymoon consisting of missed flights, and extreme delays. We got to the car only to see that it was dead (just look up “dead battery on an electric car” to understand our confusion). And just minutes into our drive home, we were told that John’s grandfather had passed away. A few weeks later, my father drove to Auburn from South Florida to tell me in person that he has cancer. I struggled to balance the changes that came from our new marriage. I spent a lot of time feeling down, frustrated, impatient, and unorganized.
We were thrown into real life quite quickly after our dream of a wedding day and incredible honeymoon. And I am thankful.
The last 8 weeks have held a lot of life. We have grieved, cried many tears, worried, and disagreed. But in the middle of the tears and frustrations, we have laughed, grown, and loved.
I am thankful for these difficult times early in our marriage because they have drawn us closer to each other and to God. We have leaned on each other in ways we never needed to in our fairly easy dating years. My main reflection from these last 8 weeks is that I am thankful John is here. The simplicity of seeing him when I get home and kissing him goodnight has brought so much stability and peace each day. He reminds me to pray and he reminds me that things could be so much worse. He is patient; so patient. He is loving every day. He is a true reflection of The Father.
I am thankful. I am chosen.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18
