Friday, July 6, 2012

Story

Pride gets checked.

After nearly a dozen years, I finally have felt happy more often. Peace-filled most of all.

It's hard work, this married life. This growing up life.

Early on, it was a battle between wills. Mine more than either of ours. A war raged between Daddy-issues, and Groom.

A long, painful story birthed Acceptance.

I no longer question, tossing back and forth between sadness for what I had hoped could be and fear for what might be.

Living has taught me there is purpose for story. Even the dark parts.

And so I learned to love through abandonment. Because, no one on Earth can really fill us.

Fathers sometimes let shame move them away. Mothers, too.

Maturity leads us to a rhythm of living that gives others room for their own choices. 
Even when it writes us a story of heartache and pain. 

We drink freedom to be ourselves in big, refreshing gulps. And we serve portions of grace to those we love.

Fear no longer chokes our future.

The reality of my own imperfection reminds me that we're never fully mature this side of Heaven.

When I struggle to choose love and wrestle my anger to the floor, pride gets strip-searched and I fall naked to the ground in humility.

His comment might hurt and I might be misunderstood, but our own story of togetherness is important.
Just as much as the story of another's choice to walk away.

Two stories aren't the same. Though I finally see how one adds color to another.

Beauty is in the bearing down. In the birthing of acceptance. In the growing of grace.

Frayed edges of our marriage remind us of purpose in story. For where we've been and who we are now.


Today's post is part of my friend, Lisa-Jo's fun challenge each Friday to 

     "Write for five, short, bold beautiful minutes... 
     Unscripted and unedited...
     Without worrying if it's just right or not."

Giving thanks today to write *free* on this Friday for a tad longer than five minutes. 

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12 comments:

  1. You are correct, Amy. Marriage is hard work and each one does have a unique story. Beautifully written. I love the way you were able to use such descriptive terms to describe the story/marriage. All in 5 minutes! I'm impressed.

    Mary
    http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks, Mary. (a tad longer than 5 minutes today...counting grace for that freedom.)

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  2. Amy, this was beautiful! :) I always love reading how a group of people can take the same word and turn our such wonderful "stories"...no pun intended!

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    1. It's neat, isn't it?!

      Appreciating your comment, Mindy.

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  3. Wow! This post was so powerful, and so perfect for me to read just now...

    Thanks!

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    1. It still amazes me when that happens. How He leads us to the words that bring us closer to His heart. Truly amazing.

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  4. wonderful job Amy...and I love fear no longer chokes our future...fear robs us from so much...so thankful you have wrestled it to the ground so it lost it’s grip. blessings to you~

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    1. He teaches me how to wrestle it when it returns. And this is where my courage to trust is most meaningful to me, because fear does return sometimes and we needn't be ashamed or consider ourselves as less than because of it. His grace is sufficient.

      Appreciating your words today, friend.

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  5. All I needed to be on your side here: "Pride gets checked." I really enjoyed your perspective here. Isn't it cool to see what can spill out of us in 5 minutes (give or take)? Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Appreciating you stopping by and sharing, Jenn. It is so neat how He moves us with different perspective.

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  6. Can I just say "AMEN"?! :) Great post, wonderful reminder. Thank you!

    I'd love to invite you to join in my online Bible study of Ephesians -- starts next week! :)

    Blessings,
    Melanie

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    1. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing, Melanie.

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