Like I Thought.

Just the way I thought he would.

There are a lot of things I dreamed about doing and being. Most of them didn’t turn out the way I had visualized in my mind. But being married to Ben is just the way I thought it would be.

When I leave the kids and him at home, the house is just the way I thought it’d be when I return. Pristine. Not a toy out of place nor dish in the sink.

When I need extra time to write or study, he responds just the way I thought he would. With grace and an adventure outside to get the kids away for a bit.

When I haven’t gone to the grocery store and don’t have a plan for supper, he does just what I thought he would. He stops on his way home to pick up meat and whip up something delicious and also nutritious for us.

For every way that we are exact opposites, I’m thankful that God made us complementary partners. I’ve prayed a lot of prayers over this man, and though they’ve not been answered in the way I figured they’d be, God answered each and every one. Just the way I thought He would.

If we look at Adam and Eve, it’s easy to see the way that God established the marriage covenant as a means of sanctification.

Because, boy, this journey ain’t for the weak! But in all of the areas I’m lacking, Ben is bountiful. In the areas he’s slack in, I’m able to perform with ease. It really is the picture of give and take.

But it also comes with a price. We are constantly making little (and big) sacrifices to serve one another and deny ourselves. Add in four little Salters and the ante is upped even more. Even now, I’ve returned from a birthday party with all four kids and am exhausted. Ben has them all tucked into bed for an afternoon nap while I get caught up on everything else. Just like I thought he would.

There are many times we’ve messed up and made mistakes, just like everyone thought we would. But in God’s endless mercy and grace, we’ve seen restoration and reformation after every season of angst. Some seasons may have lasted longer than anticipated, but on the other side of each fire, we’re more sharpened and more likened to one another than before.

It’s been such a beautiful picture of the gospel lived out – the way we desire to live our lives for Christ, but inevitably go astray or think we know better than God. Each time we eat of the forbidden fruit, we are met with love and the gentle yet firm redirection from our Father. This spurs us to, in turn, love each other with the same amount of grace. Unconditional. All encompassing. Come what may.

As we teach our big and little babies what it means to be salt and light, we have a front row seat to watch them grasp the hem of His garment and realize that Jesus loves them, this I know.

Just like I thought He would.

And there’s good news for you, too! This love isn’t just for married people or church folks – it’s for all of us! We’re made in His image, and He has a purpose for each or our lives. There’s no better day than today to ask Him to lead your life and meet you in the middle of whatever you’ve got going on. And He’ll be there with outstretched arms. Just like I KNEW He would.

See ya around the farm,

Bailey

Genesis 2:18 “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Psalm 33:11 “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”