Oneness

This past week my husband and I had the joy of attending a husband and wife retreat at the place where we first laid eyes on each other eight years ago. While basking in the beautiful northern California mountains I felt overwhelmed to be back in the place where my I met my true love, renewed my relationship with Christ and discovered a whole slew of things about myself that took years to figure out.

This retreat was packed full of typical out doorsy adventures; chock-full of ropes courses, white water rafting and of course the precarious blob which I so daintily declined. Amidst all of the fun and laughter I have returned home with such a full heart and an overwhelming sense of joy. To be given the opportunity to defend and build our marriage in a setting only God could design was such a blessing. For a week we waded through the deep and intimate waters of marriage: crying, laughing, praying, rejoycing and learning what it truly means to be united.

One of the main themes of the week was that of "oneness" and how it parallels with our relationship to the Lord. We are called to leave our former life behind and cleave to our spouses as one unit just as we are called to love and follow Christ with abandon and fervor.

Going through all of the scriptures and materials we were given I was humbled and convicted as I saw areas in my life in which I had not let go. Family issues, self doubt, pride, fear, insecurities...to name a few....how had I allowed these things to creep into my marriage and ultimately my relationship with Christ. It was like someone took the veil off of my eyes. Suddenly I was able to see at a distance a part of me I was always fearful of seeing, let alone showing.

The Lord says "Forget the things of the past. Behold I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth...I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19) AMEN! Christ has made streams in the deserted places of my heart where healing and peace now flow. Through the image of marriage and my relationship with my husband I can see more clearly the romance and intimacy that Christ has for us. We can not settle to coast through life, through our marriages, through our relationships with others and through our walk with the Lord. He is calling us to join him in a passionate dance of love, forgiveness, understanding, faithfulness, and JOY.

The Lord relentlessly pursues us just as a man woos his bride. May we accept the invitation to intimacy and the richness of walking with the Lord.

Comments

[Dimitra]

What a lovely post!...May you always be full of peace, love and joy!...

[Corrine]

This is a beautiful post and I believe that it is no coincidence that I am reading it this morning. God is funny like that...He knows just what we need and when we need it most. I am so thankful that I found your blog. I believe that God is going to continue to use you powerfully to bring hope to people's lives.

[jessica]

i stumbled upon your blog while looking for simple living recipes. i am so glad it is more than just recipes :) i have only been married a year and two weeks now and your words have given me encouragement this morning. my husband and i are struggling through this recession right now (no job for him and a minimal wage job for me). I believe I have stumbled on your blog not by accident but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pursuit of wanting more than just a blog about recipes...

[Abby Maddox]

I think I know the exact retreat you are talking about. My sisters went there as campers (is that what they call them?) and one (like you!) met her husband there--and he proposed there. My parents went for the marriage retreat a few years ago. They went on and ON about how wonderful it was, and I keep saying NEXT YEAR Jeremiah and I will go. You made me want to make our reservations NOW. I started a book this morning that reminded me of some of the same truths you were talking about here. Maybe He's trying to tell me something :) Hope you are well!

[Jennifer]

What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.:)

[Lynn]

Such inspiring, convicting and touching words. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and honesty you put into sharing from your heart. God will continue to bless you as you honor Him in all your ways.

[summer]

thank you so much, coco. it's amazing how the Lord brings the perfect thing before our eyes (or to our ears), at the perfect time. "the richness of walking with Him".. i loved that. such a wonderful reminder of the blessing it is to have a real relationship with our Savior.

[Alisa]

Lovely post! And just what I needed right now...Its Isaiah 43:19 :)

[Coco]

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful notes! And thank you Alisa for letting me know about the verse :) I must have been in la la land when I wrote 43:13!

[Nate Henderson]

What a beautiful meditation on marriage. Thank you. And I love that Isaiah quote. In Christ we are a new creation; how amazing is that!

[Dana E]

This is so awesome!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[Ashley]

I just stumbled upon your blog this morning and am reading through. I too, feel that this blog came into my life at the perfect time, on the perfect afternoon. Would you mind sharing which retreat you went to? I would love to attend with my husband.

[Tara]

I've been devouring your blog since I stumbled upon it last week (thanks to Saveur) as my husband is allergic to dairy & eggs and I'm always on the lookout for new ways to translate classically dairy & egg laden dishes into something safe and delicious for him. So knowing your change in cooking has been a labour of love for you husband as well, really warmed my heart. And then I read this post (on Good Friday of all days) and it just made my soul sing! We're about to celebrate our 1 year anniversary, so this was such a blessing to read as we remind ourselves where our love for each other is truly rooted and how the soul aim of our marriage is to glorify God by using our relationship as a way to display the love and grace of Christ to those around us. This was certainly a joy to stumble upon this morning, and blessings to you & your husband. May you both continue to love each other sacrificially and may that cause those around you and who read your blog to gaze upward! Blessed Good Friday to a fellow sister in Christ...and in special diet cooking!