Thankful...At Midnight

I'm six hours from home when my wife is more than eight months pregnant, and I'm sitting in a hotel lobby at midnight typing. It's possible that any minute I'll get a call from her and we'll be rushing to a hospital we do not know in a city that's unfamiliar. We would normally not travel at a time like this, but we usually don't have the opportunity to celebrate a new marriage with family. So, even though I'm not sure when it will be safe to return to the room (I left when 1 grown woman and 4 small girls were trying to go to sleep in an area that is smaller than my living room, yeah...), I want to reflect on a couple of things I'm thankful for.

1. For my marriage- My wife and I don't make a habit of doting on each other through social networks. It's something of a relational taboo in our home, but as we go to witness another couple make this commitment, it's a good time to be thankful for her and the marriage we have. It's hard to overestimate the value of marriage in conforming a person to the image of Christ. Both individuals see both the best and the worst of each other, but have devoted themselves to a life together "...for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part."Modern marriage ceremonies can often be mushy, gushing of a form of love that is best suited for a predictable romantic comedy. Central to the wedding is the covenant- the commitment to one another that is to survive any challenge the couple may face. The traditional vows truly do illustrate this well (is there any word that can adequately replace "cherish"?) I'm thankful for a God who has committed Himself to me through the New Covenant, written in Christ's blood. I'm thankful for the woman who has seen me at my worst, but loves, forgives, and stays committed to the covenant she made with me eleven years ago. I'm also thankful for her commitment as a mother. Expecting our fifth child, she knows the hard work that awaits, but also knows the joy- which leads me to the second thing I'm thankful for...

2. For my children- Again, it's hard to overestimate how much God uses our children to sanctify us. They, too, see our highs and lows, and often the gospel witness they receive from me is my asking for their forgiveness when I fail them. They reveal my lack of patience, my pride, and my selfishness (the Gospel is for sinners like me. I need to be reminded of my sinfulness and my continual need for Christ), but also help me to see a glimpse of God's great love for his children who are found in Christ (1 John 3:1). No doubt, this love is something he wants to reveal in parenthood. The love I have for them, they return to me four-fold (and then some). They bless me daily with joy at my return, a longing for my time, and satisfaction with my company. God is so gracious. I'm thankful...

I think it's safe to return now....Grace and Peace, brothers and sisters.