Marriage Grace

It's been two weeks since my last post and it felt like one! I'm so serious. Where did the time go?!

Last week my man and I celebrated 17 years of marriage and our first born's 13th birthday! It was a whirlwind of a weekend! In the midst of celebrations, we had football games and mariachi performances! On our anniversary we were serving nachos in the concession stand of a football game. This is my life.

Seventeen years! Wow! I can't believe I'm old enough to have done anything consistently for 17 years. It's been a winding wonderful road.  I've been asked "If someone could have said one thing to you before you got married, what would it have been?" My answer "Buckle up!"

August 24, 1996

It's been a ride. Highs have been high and lows have been low. I look at those faces 17 years ago and think "clueless!" Ha! We loved each other don't misunderstand. But neither of us knew the depth of love and sacrifice we were about to embark upon. We didn't know.

I am so glad that the Lord kept us and still holds us. If it were left up to us we would have driven this thing into the ground. We had so many personal obstacles, unreasonable expectations, and worldly views of marriage. By the absolute Grace of God we are still together and have the privilege of encouraging others in their marriages! To God be the Glory...

This isn't a post about how wonderful marriage has been. It has been that. We've shared so many incredible years. My husband can still walk into a room and take my breath away! It's not about how hard it's been. It has been that. We don't have the time to even begin! :)

This post is about Grace in marriage. In spite of everything we've been through, Grace kept us. It loved us. It carried us. When we wanted to walk away, it reminded us of the covenant we made with God and each other. When we laughed through great times, Grace strengthened us. Grace is for us. 

If I could say anything to encourage someone in marriage it would be:

• It's not always fair, Don't expect it.
• You may give more one season and your spouse may give more the next.
• Only Christ can complete you, not your spouse.
• Love is sacrifice not a feeling.
• Walking in your Role is important. Know it.
• God's Word is the authority not your feelings.
• Arguing is healthy.
• Making up is even better.
• Laugh together.
• Hold hands.
• Forgive like you want to be forgiven.
• Accept that your spouse's weaknesses are different than yours
• ALWAYS PRAY TOGETHER
• Love your kids but never before your marriage (Your marriage is their foundation.)
• Live your life understanding that a Godly healthy marriage and a healthy family are the enemy's biggest threats. YOU ARE KINGDOM BUILDING! He wants your marriage and your children broken. He is your enemy not each other.
• Marriage still works!

I'm looking forward to many more years with this man! We often say that no one else is crazy enough to be with us. So we might as well be together!

17 years later!
Happy Anniversary Honey!

Blessings!

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Now What Was My Post About?

I had this idea for an incredible post. It was filled with great scripture references and meaningful life application. I couldn't wait to hunker down and write it out.

Then I forgot! ha!

Why? Because life happened! Because I'm a wife. Because I'm a mom. Because I forget everything!

Our weekend went a little like this:

Friday!

We started with a 5 hour day at the water park. That will wipe anybody out! Why 5 hours? We purchased season passes and we are going to go until they drain the pools and dry the slides!

I even came home and grilled burgers and hot dogs! (insert applause here!)

Kids took a quick nap and then they were off to football practice with their father, better known as "Coach Poppy."  After a long practice, we couldn't end a 100 degree heat day without a trip to the local snow cone shop. That was dinner. No one complained!

Saturday!

I worked an 11 hour day while my man worked and shuffled kids for mariachi and cheer. With my aching feet, we took the 6 year old to the toy store because his gift card was burning a hole in his pocket. BTW...That $15 gift card cost me $25 when it was all said and done! Yes his smile was worth it but blah blah blah! He's getting a limit. His adorableness will lose power one day. Not anytime soon though.

Because this Proverbs 31 woman wasn't cooking, we had family dinner at an Asian restaurant. My two older children were happy to eat out of course. Noodles, chopsticks and a 6 year old means he was hungry an hour later! He enjoyed his microwaved corn dog. (No guilt here)  Momma was TI-RED.

Sunday!

Sunday we worshipped. My sweet girl and I went to see her friends praise dance at their church. It was Youth Sunday! So a normally 1 1/2 hour service ended up being 3 hours long. The boys ate without us and we didn't mind at all. We went to a nice restaurant and treated ourselves to a girls only lunch. Of course, we ordered dessert to go! I couldn't pass up the four layer red velvet cheesecake. Amen and Amen again!

On full stomachs and a rainy day we took a nap, read books and played with that $40 toy.

As I recall the details of our weekend, I didn't include the cleaning, cooking, arguing, playing, spilling, breaking, crying, stomach aches, scrapes, hair combing, ironing, phone calls and running. I'm sure I left something off the list!

And that brings me to now!

Now what was my post about?!

I can't even begin to recall the particulars of it. It was going to be wonderful and insightful. I promise it really was!

Today I only have this...

My weekend was busy like most days during this season of my life. But it didn't escape me that He kept us, covered us and protected us. He put clothes on our backs, food on the table and a roof over our heads. These things may seem simple and insignificant until the day you don't have them. (Did I just sound like my Momma?!)

God's grace in our everyday lives is overwhelming. The small things we take for granted daily are completely because of his goodness and mercy! We are drowning in His love! How He love us...

This was my weekend song. Enjoy!

Anthony Evans "How He Loves"

Blessings!

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Position or Love?

I wanted to write something meaningful and informational regarding current events. I did my due diligence in researching opinions, articles, and blogs. I just couldn't come up with anything that would be different than what's already out there. It's been said countless times what God is for and against. The Church's position has been blogged, argued, and challenged. I'm sure I could continue to lament about the state of our country. I could complain and shake my head in disgust.  However, I decided that there is enough of that going on. I didn't need to add anything to that pile. It was large enough!

It would be easy to continue the angry rants and condemnation that we so self righteously articulate and justify with scripture. Although the Bible is very clear and does not waiver, we must not engage in rage and ostracize those we are trying to reach.

We were commanded in John 13:35 to love:

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-- when they see the love you have for each other."

Let us not forget that we are saved by grace! Ephesians 2: 8-10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

It's easy to get lost in what's right and wrong and forget that we have a mission. We are to show the world the love of Christ and tell them the good news of Christ.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not discounting that we have an enemy. I Peter 5:8

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

However, we can stand firm in God's Word with the humility of Christ.

Matthew 5:9 reminds us.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Issues are becoming more complex while politics and opinions fuel division. We are to be careful and not take the bait of discord, condemnation and hate.

Have you searched your heart? Are you recognized by your love or your position? Is your goal peace or to perpetuate the dialogue of anger and hate?

Don't forget that we are all in need of a Savior. The ground is leveled at the foot of the cross.



Blessings!

copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved.

I'm Glad Mother's Day is Done

Fourteen years ago I whispered those words. 

My husband and I got the news that we were expecting a baby and our life immediately changed. We were so excited about our expanding family. We began planning and talking about how life would be different. We discussed moving, schools, careers etc. We were anxiously awaiting the birth of our daughter Grace. We couldn't wait to meet her. At 22 weeks, I went to the doctor and was immediately taken to the hospital. I was told that my daughter was coming sooner than we anticipated. We prayed, cried and prayed more. How could this be happening? At that moment, everything we thought was real was questioned. We were thrown into a world that we didn't know existed. A world where pregnancy didn't mean a healthy baby. Our precious daughter died at birth. We held her in our arms as she fought to breathe with her underdeveloped lungs. Our hearts were beyond broken. Words cannot express the agony of losing a child. We buried our baby and prayed for restoration.

Seven months later I was pregnant again. At 19 weeks I was again placed in the hospital. For three weeks I prayed that our son Caleb would be born. This time we were hopeful. We were sure that it wouldn't happen twice. Of course, this time would be different. At 22 weeks, our sweet Caleb died in our arms at birth. Our world went silent. 

For years, we prayed and mourned the loss of our children. 

Of course many days after were tough. Mother's Day was especially difficult. I didn't know how to answer, "Are you a Mom?"  I didn't know how to respond to "Happy Mother's Day!" It was not a happy day. I was a Mom but I wasn't a Mom. I was a mother by definition but I was not a mother by experience. Seeing other Moms with their children was hurtful. Pregnant women were painfully obvious. I was broken. I couldn't wait for the day to end. My challenge was just to traverse the day.

I want to dedicate this post to those who have done the same. 

This is for the women who hope they are not asked if they are mothers. It's to those who don't know how to answer "How many kids do you have?"  It's to my sisters whose hearts are aching and arms are empty. It's to those who have experienced stillbirth and to those who have had one or multiple miscarriages. It's for Moms who have suffered Perinatal, Postnatal or Neonatal death.

I prayed for you on Mother's Day. I prayed that the Lord would comfort you. I prayed that you were surrounded by those who love you and are walking with you during this difficult season. I also prayed that he shields your heart. I prayed that the loving intent of comfort from those around you was received. I prayed that you extended grace to those who may not have understood your pain. I prayed for you if you felt ignored or forgotten.  I prayed that the Lord would calm your heart's ache and wipe away your tears.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

I can't answer the question "Why?" But I know from experience that God is faithful. He restores. He comforts. He heals. 

In 2000, 2001 and 2007 the Lord answered our prayers. He was gracious and gave us 3 wonderful children. I am overwhelmed by Him.  

Mother's Day 2013

I don't know how or when He will answer. But I know He will.  He'll come. I can't guarantee what His answer will be but his Grace is sufficient. 

I am praying for you.


Blessings

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'
The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.
For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love."
Lamentations 3:22-26; 31-32 (NLT)


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