Yesterday was a double-whammy celebration: Mother’s Day and my twelfth wedding anniversary. God continuously reminds me how He’s blessed our family with an amazing mom and wife, so I decided to share with Christin over the past twelve days some of those thoughts through a Twelfth Anniversary Countdown listing what I love about her… and I want you to know what I love most about Christin.  Warning: this could be considered sappy. 

What do I love about you?
(a.k.a. 12th anniversary countdown)

12. Spiritual Depth.  One of the first things that drew me to you was your spiritual depth.  Even before we ever considered dating, it was what impressed me most about you.  That’s why I wanted you investing in the youth ministry girls- I hoped they’d develop the same spiritual depth you had… and still have today.   Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots.  Proverbs 12:3

11. Creativity.  I think I first noticed your creativity during our first year of marriage when you began making art out of old window panes.  I see the same creativity in your cooking, gift-giving, planning birthday parties, making quilts right now, and especially your writing.  Many people talk about how creative they are. You don’t- you just are.  Look, I have chosen Bezalel… I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects...Yes, he is a master at every craft!  Exodus 31:2-4

10. Discernment.  You have a special ability to see beneath the surface with people and situations beyond what’s obvious.  Rather than seeing things simplistically in terms of black and white, you understand how to maneuver in the many gray areas.  You also intuitively know the right questions to ask to come to the best conclusion.  O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.  Psalm  119:169  I know as a “master of the obvious” guy,  God answered that prayer through you.

9. Honesty.  I trust you more than anyone else I know.  I believe it’s because I know you’ll tell me the truth- even if it hurts you or me. I know you say what you mean and mean what you say.  I think that’s one reason it annoys you when I say, “do you promise?”  It’s a question I should never have to ask.  ...let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no… James 5:12

 8. Sincerity.  I think this is one attribute that almost everyone sees in you.  It’s why so many women who’ve been beaten down by this world and hurt by others open up to you.  They know you are authentic and not fake- they can sense fake from a mile away and they flee from it.  I see it with the girls in the Gospel Community, the moms from Simplicity Parenting, and the other preschool moms. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  1 Timothy 1:5

7. Forgiveness.  This is one of your most obvious qualities, because you’re required to utilize it so frequently with me.  As many times as I’ve messed up, you’ve continued to forgive.  Unfortunately, you’ve had to really live out this scripture in our marriage:  “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.  Matthew 18:21-22

6. Listening.  You listen to me share the good, bad, and ugly of my day.  You listen to the same story at least three or four times before you mention that you’ve heard it before.  You occasionally even listen to my repetitive jokes =).  This is after listening to all the other people who love that you listen to them- especially two of your favorites: Jude and Wren. My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  James 1:19

5. Kisses.  I never get tired of your kisses. I don’t think anything makes me feel more loved and more important than a kiss from you.  I know when you kiss me that you mean it- you don’t give flippant affection.  I look forward to many more years of your kisses.  May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine, smooth and sweet, flowing gently over lips and teeth.  Song of Solomon 7:9

4. Hospitality.  You make everyone feel welcome in our home regardless of their economic status, ethnicity, or spiritual background.  It’s more than the decorating and cooking (although those are excellent)- it’s your welcoming posture.  You’ve also made our homes a place I want to be.  I can still remember walking into our living room during our first week in NJ, sitting on the couch and saying, “now this feels like home.”   Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.  1 Peter 4:9

3. Amazing Mom!  You are the best mom in the world.   Our kids sense it, other parents notice it, even our own moms appreciate what a wonderful mother you are.  I could not ask for a better woman to raise our two precious children.  I’m so thankful God is using you to mold our children into the people He desires. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:28-29

2. Perseverance.  You’ve stuck with me during the good times and tough times.  I enjoy every attribute I listed about you, but your perseverance in our marriage is the reason I’ve been able to enjoy you for the past twelve years and can look forward to many more years.  I’m glad we get to follow Jesus together in this marathon of marriage and ministry.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  1 Corinthians 13:7

1. Beautiful, sexy, and in the words of Ricky Bobby “smokin’ hot.”  Twelve years into this marriage I am still SO attracted to you.  I’m so glad God wired us to have this physical attraction and that he gave me a beautiful wife for life.  Solomon said it well: You are so beautiful, my beloved, so perfect in every part…You have ravished my heart, my treasure, my bride. I am overcome by one glance of your eyes, by a single bead of your necklace. How sweet is your love, my treasure, my bride! How much better it is than wine!… Your lips, my bride, are as sweet as honey. Yes, honey and cream are under your tongue…You are like a private garden, my treasure, my bride! You are like a spring that no one else can drink from, a fountain of my own.  Song of Solomon 4:7-12

TODAY WE BEGIN YEAR 13.  PRAISE GOD!