This past week
has been pretty difficult. Michelle is going through a period where she is
beginning to see the goodness of speaking the truth about her emotions to me, and more importantly to herself.
The difficulty
lies in the apparent depression that the reality of the new emotions brings to
her. This in turn brings about harsh words to me.
The conflicts
have increased and increased in intensity over the last 2 weeks. The harsh
words from her peeked on Monday, we had counseling on Tuesday, and then more
words again on Wednesday.
This morning (Thursday) was
rough for me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I couldn’t talk at the gym
without feeling as if I was going to cry. Once done with the gym, I felt a
pressure in my chest like I couldn’t breathe or get a good breath. I would
describe it as recognizing that I needed a good, hard cry. We went for a walk, and it really didn’t get any better.
When we got home
from the walk, I felt a good, cold shower would be good for me. While I was in
the shower, I was thinking about what I really “needed” Michelle to do for me.
And it was at that point that I realized that the LORD provides all of my
needs. What I need is Him. I need nothing else. It is something that Michelle
recognized many years ago. It is a concept that I have known and felt that I
lived by, but I realize that is not the case.
I believe the
application of this in my life will allow me to demonstrate love in a more pure
way to those around me. Regardless of the words spoken by others, when I know
the Father love’s me, I can stand next to Him when the “mean” person accuses
me, calls me names, or whatever else negative communication may come my way. It
means I can serve those who the world may not want to serve, because the Father
will provide what I need, and when He doesn’t provide my earthly requirements,
I will be in the presence.
It gives me
freedom to demonstrate love to Michelle without demanding she do the same in
return. It makes this demonstration from her a bonus for me, because the Father
makes provision for my needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
My hope is in
Him. My prayer to Him is that He provides a way (that Michelle and I follow the
way He provide) for us to follow in our marriage that will glorify Him.
And now I find
that I can breath again…