I cannot let the day go by without talking about my bride. Today she begins her four months as two years my junior. In January, I'll resume my place as three years her senior. The eyes and smile that long ahead gave overwhelming joy to a couple in Charleston, SC now shine for me. God richly blessed me, though I couldn't know it fully at the time. Isn't it odd, how we try so hard to find the "perfect one" based on many factors dear to us, yet we pith to be looking for God's special one. What does that person look like?
First, he or she is one of God's choosing. Just as no "help" could be found for Adam in Eden, God knew exactly what his creation and creature needed. God is certainly capable of meeting the needs Adam would have. God, though, used this opportunity to introduce a relationship for equals; one that would benefit from the strengths of each for the good of the whole. Made for relationship, she was to be a companion to Adam, a helper - to complement Adam in his life and work. In this relationship, one would help the other for their good, to chasten lovingly, and to be a conduit of godliness when needed.
More evidence of the kind of relationship God intends between husband and wife is found in Ephesians 5:22-33. I won't go into the details, but if I could examine this passage a bit, I would say the weightiest burden here is for the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for it. This is a sacrificial love, giving all of himself lavishly, even to emptying himself to provide for and protect her. Paul does lead this section off with the statement that wives are to submit to their husbands, but there is a unity in this statement that, when taken with the later command to the husband's degree of love shows the mutual submissiveness of self that each is intended to give the other.
In the years I've been so blessed, I have never doubted Cynth's love for me, nor her commitment to me or our family that God be honored in our midst. God began a work in her somewhere along the way that continues even now, growing her through every trial and blessing to be that fit vessel he is using for his glory, just as I am blessed by God through her faithful obedience to his call. From Proverbs 31:10 comes this description:
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
It is with much gratitued in my heart that I praise God for my bride and wish her, once more, a very happy birthday.
Happy birthday, my love!
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