I can do all things though Christ

Yesterday, I was driving to “work” and kept hearing all the traffic updates and seeing the traffic and I had a thought. “We haven’t had an accident in a long time.” There was a small one where we went off the road and did some minor scratches to the car, but that was almost a year ago. As I thought that, there was a part of me that said, Oh, right, most people would say “don’t say that! Now you’ll get into an accident!”

It reminded me of a conversation that went pretty similarly.
Other person – How are things going Jen?
Jen – AMAZING!
Other person – Well, enjoy it while it lasts (or some other version).
Jen – Well, maybe it will stay amazing!

(spoiler alert, it has)

Let’s do a little recap of the last year and a half or so:
– A huge amount of growth in both Bret and I in our relationships with God. We have never known such depth in our love and knowledge of God. It is the first time in my life I can honestly say, God is THE most important thing and everything else is a super distant second. I think about the goodness of God in our lives and it makes me want to weep with joy. I have never known such joy!
– Our truck was totaled.
– God healed me of my alcoholism.
– We moved.
– We continued to stay out of debt.
– We went skydiving, we get to go out to eat regularly and splurge on some fun stuff.

You could look at our lives and think, “wow, they have it all together. I’m so jealous of their life.” I say that not because I think we have a great life, but I know what it’s like to look in from the outside on someone’s life and think different things about them. lol, now, if no one thinks this, then nevermind! lol.

So what’s the answer? Well, we certainly don’t have it all together. Don’t be jealous of our lives in the overall sense.

Honestly, our marriage and life really is that awesome. But let me tell you the “secret” to our success and overwhelming joy.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

This is truly our life/marriage verse. Another aspect of the “secret” is that we don’t hold tightly to anything we have. We recognize that everything we have and can do is through him. Nothing else. We realize that it could all be taken away at any moment. Today we enjoy financial freedom and a life together, tomorrow it could all be gone.

Bret and I have a variation of the following conversation regularly, but this is how today’s went:
(Saying goodbye when dropping Bret off at school)
Jen: Well, it’s been real, if I don’t see ya again, I love ya.
Bret: Love ya too dude. Wait, what if this is our last conversation? Better not say that!
Jen: Well, then I’d be happy we got to have it. And if it happens, it happens.

So there you have it, now you know the “secret.” 🙂