Saturday, February 04, 2012

Today marks seven years of marriage for us. Seven! When I stretch those seven years out in my mind they feel like a wink and a century all in the same pot. It never fails to amaze me how fast life flies by, even though we've been warned countless times by family and friends. At the very same time, I'm in awe of where these seven years have taken us, who we're growing to be, and how much God has shaped the ashes that trail behind the two of us into absolute beauty.
Tomorrow will mark six months. Six months since my baby sister lost her husband. Something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy has happened to a favorite friend. If you saw her today, you would weep. Not for pity's sake or even the sheer volume of sadness in it all. You would weep at the unmistakable grace of God in her life. You would well up inside to hear her speak of forgiveness, loving your enemies, and relying on God's best - even if that means it doesn't line up with what you wanted. It's probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. "A crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor." Isaiah 61:3 This, is His goodness in her life.
Jared's death, and Gina's life have made me look at this seven year anniversary mark in a much brighter light. More than that, they have made me look at my husband and this marriage in a much brighter light. Days are sweeter, moments are more cherished, and I am constantly reminded to never take for granted R.Jay's presence in my life. So, let me tell you just a bit of the wonderfulness that is my husband:

He loves Jesus more than me, and more than the little people we are blessed to raise. This has got to be my most favorite thing about him. He rises early to bathe this family, this home, in prayer. He chooses wisdom and peace in every circumstance. He teaches me countless times how patience, stillness, and prayer is sometimes the heaviest workload of a Christian, but always brings the clearest outcome. He, daily, tells me I'm beautiful and refuses to leave the house or hang up the phone without a heartfelt "I love you". Sometimes just the way he says something makes me laugh until my face truly aches.
He dances with Annabelle almost every evening. I don't mean a little waltz either. A full blown ballet production takes place in the living room with these two and, I'll be honest, I still choke up every single time they dance together. He is constant at encouraging their little hearts and pointing them to Jesus. He is gentle, but firm. He boasts in Bennett's guitar skills and is quick to say yes to a wrestling challenge.
His eyes light up when he speaks of his humble, honorable parents. His gratefulness for them is unmistakable and my gratefulness runs deep too. Their years of shaping him into this wonderful man now pays off in this marriage, this family, and now onto another growing little-man Dowling.
He puts his all in his work. Whether that be in the Church, at his job as a welder/pipefitter, or the (many) projects I find for him around this little house. He is diligent and takes his time at each and every project, no matter the importance.
He never complains. I mean, never. He wears rose-colored glasses around every person he meets. An eternal optimist and loyal to the core. If you talk with our close, small group of friends he holds the title of "Alpha Male'. A wilderness buff who makes knives, shoots guns awfully precise, and can fix and make just about anything. The running joke is that R.Jay only has to glance at problems with a car, house, etc. and they're fixed. Just like that.
There you have it, just a bit of my most favorite things about my most favorite guy. So, here's to being thankful for these seven years of God's best and seven more of growing in Christ, growing as a family, and laughing at lots of "R.Jay-isms"! Happy 7 year anniversary to us!


"And I'd just like to say
I thank God that you're here with me.
And I know you too well to say that you're perfect,
but you'll see, oh my sweet love, you're perfect for me."

Heather Dowling at 10:06 AM

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