Rest Assured

Daddy has been meeting regularly with a man who is in his last days. The man has questions about his salvation and has yet to proclaim Jesus as his Lord. His wife, on the other hand, has and while watching her husband slowly succumb to this devastating disease is hoping and praying he will accept Christ as his Savior soon, as his time is running out. He listens. He questions. He looks for more information. He even prays. He just isn't convinced yet. And this one decision will be the greatest one he makes in this lifetime. We have a posse of people praying for him right now that he sees Christ is the Way, Truth and Life. What peace it will give not only him, but the wife that wants him to spend an eternity with our Lord.

That decision to accept Christ as Lord and be in obedience to Him is such a reassurance for both members of a couple. It means you will worship together. You will serve Christ together. You will raise children in the Lord together. You will pray together when things get rough or when you want to praise His name for your many blessings. It will direct where your money goes. It will permeate every major decision of your lifetime. It will be your source of strength, peace and comfort in the dark times. Having that now, at the start of your marriage, will be such a blessing to you both throughout your lifetime.

So here's the charge. First to the men - be the spiritual head of your household. Now. Be on your knees daily asking for direction from the Father. Be making sure you and your betrothed are worshiping every single Sunday. Make sure all the decisions you make as leader of your home has its foundation in Christ. Read your Bible every day for guidance through the Spirit. And love your wife as Christ loves the church. Imagine the peace and grace you will feel as a result of putting God first in your life.

And ladies - be that Proverbs 31 woman. The passage from verses 10-31 says,  

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

A tall order, yes. I mean, you don't literally have to plant a vineyard or wear purple, but you know, the point is to be righteous and work as if serving the Lord.

A couple we know has just had a second miscarriage. What did the husband do in the midst of this tragedy? He asked his friends and family for prayer. He sent out a message straight away to ask for prayer for them. This is a man who is the spiritual head of his home and seeking the will of God for encouragement, healing and comfort for himself, his wife and his future family.

We want our children to be solid in their relationship with Christ. We want you to be humble before the Lord, worship Him wholeheartedly and seek His guidance daily. We want to be assured that not only are our children right with Christ, but that their spouses, children, grandchildren and so on will be the same. That is truly eternal rest assured.

Discussion: Where do you need improvement to be the husband or wife God expects of you? What are some things you can do to be sure you are on the right track? What are things you are doing now to belong completely to Christ?

Prayer: Father, we pray for the souls of this earth who have not yet declared that Jesus is King. We pray, Lord, that they will see Jesus, the sacrifice He made for them and rest contentedly in His loving arms. And we pray our descendants will be in service to you to grow your Kingdom. In Jesus we pray, Amen.

St. Busha

My mother-in-law would never write a blog like this. Never in a million years. She is way too private a person, so to bare her soul on any subject matter let alone marriage would be way outside her comfort zone. She would never provide advice, unless you asked for it, and when she did it would probably end with a sweet quiet giggle and an "I don't know." But let me tell you something, I learned so much about marriage from this woman - who today celebrates her 74th birthday - that she never needed to use any words to share it.

If your Jadoosh is reading this, he will probably cry. He'll nod his head in agreement and mention how blessed he is to have Busha in his life. He knows it. We all know it. Barbara is a Proverbs 31 woman. All that you read about a wife of great value in that passage, she is. She works hard for her family, loves them deeply, loves the Lord, is a beautiful helpmate to her husband Tony, cooks like a dream, helps the less fortunate in countless ways, puts everyone ahead of herself, had the greatest toy collection of any grandmother in the world, keeps the neatest house ever (pretty sure she vacuums every day, but like an elf, you never see her do it), she remembers what you love and tries to get it for you. The woman is a saint and we all know it.

And I know you watched her, Ayla, and have learned from her. That is the best kind of learning, isn't it? To observe a person going well in their practice of life. And she is one we all can emulate. I am blessed by the Father to have had her these last 31 years to watch. I know a day does not go by that Anthony Walter Zimanek isn't thanking God in heaven that Barbara Jarmolowicz thought he was practical because he wore rain boots. That she was willing to move into the upstairs apartment of her in-laws to live while her husband went off to school in Madison. That she raised three boys. That she adores her grandchildren and great-grandson with such a sweet passion ... and that they adore her right back.

Ayla has said one of her favorite smells in the world is her grandparents' Zimanek house in Davenport, IA. It's because that house invokes memories for her of a place where she was loved, had fun, was spoiled (but darlingly so), and felt safe. It was a place where you could swim in a two foot pool with your cousins for hours. Where you could paint the whole driveway with buckets of water. Where birds are fed everyday in the backyard. Where jars were filled with Fruit Roll ups, cookies, Gushers and Rice Krispies bars that you could help yourself to. Where mini cheesecakes were always in the refrigerator. And where precious stuffed characters like Curious George and the Berenstain Bears greeted you every morning (yes, we all found the garage sale clown creepy, but Busha said he needed a home).

I honor this woman because I've had years to see that she's is the real deal. She is who God set up as an example of a person of faith. Did you know that when I first met your Daddy, I wrote on a tiny chalkboard in her kitchen "Jill loves Brad" and that she left it there for years? Then apologized to me when one of the grandchildren erased it. Good heavens, I was surprised it survived the day, let alone years! But she cherishes these things. And because of that, I cherish her.

Ayla, you have got quite a legacy to uphold in your grandmother. I see much of her in you, and that brings me joy. We pray that you will remember all you've seen in observation of this sweet soul as you walk through life and enter into marriage. You can have no better role model.

Discussion: Share a memory you have of your Busha. What sticks out to you about her relationship with Jadoosh? What has she taught you about living as a Godly woman?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the souls you have given us to learn from. We thank you for the birth of Barbara Ann and all the many lives she's touched in her 74 years. Father, we pray for continued blessings on her, as she is one who so blesses others. Thank you for her humble heart. In Jesus, Amen.