Lesson One: Just because you and your husband moved to come to seminary doesn't mean your spouse is sinless. Coming up here, I sincerely thought all seminary couples are near perfect and almost sinless....sadly that's not the case. In marriage, we often hurt our spouse with out even knowing it. We grow cold or bitter, we don't help out as much as is expected. We sin against our spouse in various ways, just like every other couple. And worst of all, we lack in prayer for our spouse. I have learned that my husband isn't perfect and neither and am. I have learned it is harder to harbor anger than it is to forgive, as I have been forgiven by Christ. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Lesson Two: I happiest when I take time each day to spend in the word, which leads me to prayer. It is a shameful truth that me being a christian in America with all the access to every Christian resource, sermon and bible; that I have neglected the word of God since I was saved about 5 years ago. I get busy with work, watching TV, socializing and neglect my sweet savior who bled for me. However, I am never more satisfied than when I have taken the time to spend in his word, learning the truths of the scripture and being in earnest prayer over my sin and my awe of the awesome and only true god.
Lesson Three: Every one's journey is different, but there's a lot of pressure to be a stay at home mom in seminary. I mean I only know 2 people who work outside the home who have kids while their husband is in school here. Of course Titus 2:4-5 tells women to be workers at home, and of course that is our hope, desire and goal. However, I honestly thought before I came to Louisville so Dallas, my husband could come to seminary that stay at home moms were those moms who actually went off to play tennis while the nanny kept the kiddos. I am glad I was wrong. I have met some gracious and amazing women who understand and don't judge me for working. However, I can't deny that it hasn't been hard missing play dates, church functions and time with my daughter because I have to work. In a way, I have felt I am missing out on the whole seminary and family experience all because I need a job to ensure when we leave seminary we have no debt.
Lesson Four: It is vital to have an accountability group or mentor to meet with at least every other week. (Titus 2:3-5) I have had a wise lady whom I am dearly fond of take the time to mentor me. Our time is profitable and we have been going through the book by Elizabeth Prentiss called Stepping Heavenward. She took the time to mentor me when I was in Birmingham and now we Skype once a week to discuss what we learned from that lesson. It is so important that we all have a wiser christian to turn to in times of need and for christian guidance. I pray one day I would be able to be a Titus woman to another young girl new in her Christian faith.
Lesson Five: Every prayer offered in the name of Jesus is sure to have it's answer. This is the most recent lesson learned and what a joyful promise we have. The the book Stepping Heavenward I was taught this truth that "every such prayer is dictated by the Holy Spirit, and therefore finds acceptance with God..." What a wonderful and awesome thing! How bold I can come to the throne of God with my prayers and be sure he hears them and is pleased to answer them! Maybe not in the way I have asked, but He is sure to answer them and I am pleased to see Him work in the way He sees fit.
Lesson Six: Sometimes your family and friends will be your biggest challenge. Not everyone agrees or will understand your stance on family, marriage or child rearing. Sometimes, your family will reject you, talk maliciously about you and threaten you for the way you choose to live. It is a comfort to know and remember John 15:18. I am still learning to be patient and try to walk in the spirit when these trials come. The best part is to know Jesus suffered first and for the same things we are trying to stand up for in a world that speaks to the contrary of what the bible teaches.
I am excited for my husband and very proud of him. To have had to keep Elianah on days he wasn't at school and maintain a 3.9 GPA while studying new languages, write papers and have to read endless amounts of books the Lord surely honored his diligence in his studies. We know that nothing happens apart from the Lords will and I am so excited to see what he has in store for us this last year in Louisville and pray he opens up a great opportunity for PhD school....
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