That first year JOY

Do y’all have Timehop?  You know, that app that examines every post and photo that you’ve ever saved or posted on every social network and your phone for the life of your 21st century technological existence?  It’s kind of similar to “on this day” that Facebook loves to throw out there… This week has been my favorite and probably the best reason that I even have the app.  I know these memories will continue into the next week, the next month, the next year, the next decade… okay, you get the picture.  But it’s funny looking back and seeing what I posted 2 years ago vs what was posted this time last year.  2 years ago, I had just gotten out of the hospital after my most serious bout of depression and anxiety.  It’s funny, that whole thing about God’s redemption… I understand it now so much better than before.  And I look at those pictures from one year ago and am reminded of the way His promises never fail.

I’m beholding (and rushing through this post because my husband of one year keeps reminding me that it’s our anniversary and we need to hit the road for our little trip out of town).  I’m beholding every part of God’s Truth in our lives… that whole, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10) and “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence, the fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:9).

We watched our wedding video last night with our parents and as we seriously listened to Neil’s message (away from the nerves and distractions of “WE’RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!”), I was charged with this great prayer in our marriage as we put our first year behind us and walk into the many more:

The wise person- the one who builds their house upon rock; the one who hears the word of Christ and doesn’t just go to a Bible study, doesn’t just reflect on them but actually hears those Words of Christ–that’s going to be the key to your successful marriage.  To not just hear and talk about the Words of Christ but to actually live them out in practice on a daily basis.

So- it’s been a year.  We’ve beheld a lot this year, laughter, love, bad news, death, and struggles in our life neither of us would have dreamt we’d have to face.  But this remains, He’s given us a life: abundantly, joyfully, pleasurably… and that we’ve so proudly lived on a daily basis.  Through the tears and sorrow to the laughter and triumphs, I can honestly say, I think we’re doing pretty well.

FYI- he’s just come downstairs for a fifth time to tell me to come and pack so we can leave… okay, okay!!  Maybe I should just leave you with these little lessons I’ve learned.

This must be what that kind of abundance looks like… we’ve been married a WHOLE year…?  WHAT?!  That complete oneness though…

no but seriously, back in the days when it was just her and I, I never thought we’d have this kind of JOY.

I don’t think I understood this joy.

or that the steps we would be taking as husband and wife would lead us into such a clearer and better understanding of His promises of this life and the life to come.

I didn’t know that this is the kind of joy that you search for when sitting in the depths of questions and unknowns; but that you find with peace because we’re not alone.

this life of being held in the Light through the brightest of days to the darkest of days; I’ve learned his love has led me deeper into Christ’s love.

and that, that has me experiencing this abundant life in a contentment I never thought would be possible for me: an anxious, sometimes depressed, melancholy soul.

Marriage is oh so humbling– these thoughts that once were “I have to live for another person” that have so proudly changed to “I get to live for this person…” and wait a minute… he’s living for me too…

It’s some sort of awesomely blessed life– this adoration we’ve learned… that whole meaning of “cleaving” to one another.

an unspeakable joy knowing I’m his and he’s mine- quite literally.

and trusting in His plan that whatever has come and what is yet to come, has come for US to receive abundantly with joy and with pleasure bringing about such a beautiful perseverance.  So here we go- year 2.  We are ready.

ps. I have a little something for you in case you’re interested in knowing our story:

Nicole + Trey | Wedding Documentary Video from Nicole Marie on Vimeo.

photos were taken by Kayleigh Lockhart Photography, video was produced by Simon Cook Films