Today marks another trip around the sun which coincides with the yearly blog post of updates, gratitude, and lessons I've learned over the past 365 days that will now turn into unneeded advice bestowed upon you.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. no one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us."
- 1John 4: 7-12
What an incredibly simple, and completely unattainable, conviction. This was the scripture I read to my wife, Delaney, when I proposed.
So, a few things to unpack here... Yes, within the last year I got engaged, married, moved into a new apartment, and actually returned from the honeymoon less than a week ago. So to say a lot happened in year 25 would be an understatement. It feels as if the last 5 months have been a sprint and I'm just now learning how to catch my breath.
Forgive me for lacking the exact quote, but Malcolm Gladwell writes how one of the greatest skills a leader possesses is the art of taking a complex situation and packaging it in a simplified way for others to comprehend. This year, Delaney and I have been doing our best to make it through the entire Bible. As of now, we are both about two weeks behind... but that's not important. So many people, much smarter than myself, have been dissecting the Bible for years, and although countless lessons and direction, I find myself coming back to the aforementioned quote. It serves as a good example of taking an immense book and breaking down one of the most pinnacle themes in context that I can understand and lean into when in need of direction.
"God is love"
Whatever background, belief, class, race, etc. you personally belong to... If you love, you know God. I hope that resonates in an astounding way in your life. Personally, I fall short of showing this unfailing love every day. But I hope to use this as a personal conviction moving forward. To lead with love, and hope that God can work through me here on Earth. The huge bonus now is that I have a partner for life that is willing to hold me accountable to this standard. So, here's a little peak into our marriage plan.
John Mark Comer writes about how marriage for the sake of marriage is doomed in his book Loveology. Happiness is a byproduct of a healthy, mission-focused relationship, not the sole reason for the relationship.
Together, Delaney and I have come up with the following six pillars to hold up relationship, and our life, so that we may bless others and glorify God:
Family: The home and traditions
Community: Investing in others and the church
Service: To whom much is given, much is expected
Wisdom/Gardening: Personal gifts and calling
Pursuit: The time for romance
Health/Wellness: Prioritizing mind and body
We hope that over this past year, those whom we have interacted with have felt loved. And moving forward, with these pillars and foundation to stand on, we hope to invest more time into those around us. It is with so much gratitude I find myself writing today. The people who continually choose to be present in this life humble me daily. Below you can find a few:
Jake and Ashton for the time, patience, and example you set while being willing to share your home.
Drew and Kenzie for allowing Delaney and I the honor of being Godparents to your child.
Tyler for his passion in remaining connected whether across the world or just a few hours south.
And of course my family. Those who have molded me since I was born, and those whom I gained just a couple weeks ago.
Thank you so very much.
May year 26 be a reflection of love on you, the reader.
-Rhett
Well said! Excellent start to your marriage! Keep God at the center and let His love fill you and shine to all those around you. Working to strengthen each of these 6 pillars will help keep your lives in balance. I am deeply thankful to see this glimpse into your marriage. I will be praying regularly for you both. May God bless your 26th trip around the sun and your first married trip around the sun! Love you both! Your "Uncle" Doug
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