Thankful Thursday: Nate

I am thankful. I am thankful for Nate.

Nate is not just your average husband. He is warm, kind, sincere, and faithful. Nate is thoughtful in the way he thinks of me. He is concerned about my needs, wants, and plans. He is concerned even about the little things. Nate is interested in knowing me. He works hard to know me. Sometimes he does it so well he knows what I want or need even before I do.

Nate is admirable. He is passionate about doing the right thing. He’s idealistic to the point of almost being foolish. People love to be around Nate because he chooses to see all that’s best about them. Nate has this way about him, he can make even the grumpiest of people smile all the way up to their eyes. He’s funny, clever, and charming. Nate is the person you want to run into when you’re having a bad day. Nate is wise and intuitive. People seek him out for his gentle guidance. Nate helps people find hope in a bad situation.

Nate loves God more than any other person I know. He is passionate for God in ways I can’t even fathom. Everything he does he does for God’s glory. He is desperate to know God. He searches constantly to know God fuller and more deeply. His studies never end. It’s fascinating and inspiring to listen to Nate talk about God, the history of the church, the heroes of our faith… It’s like reading Genesis, you can’t get through it without seeing God’s passion for mankind. All you can do is sit there in awe as he weaves the tale of God’s enduring love and mercy.

I will never understand how I became so fortunate to become Nate’s wife. I cannot fathom his love and admiration for someone as broken as me. I was not the woman I am now when we 1st married and I am still far from perfect, yet he so kindly chooses to see me only at my best. By that I have become better, always wanting to be the version of me he sees. I have failed more times than I can count and yet his view of me remains faithfully the same.

And so through Nate’s eyes I have seen the heart of God. I am reminded daily of the cleansing power of Christ’s blood and I am shown through Nate’s example the kind of passion that God has for mankind. Washed white as snow God no longer sees my flaws either. As the bride of Christ, Jesus sees only the very best of who I am- And I want to do better. I want to become all that He already sees.

I truly consider myself blessed among women to have Nate for my husband. God has shown me mercy and kindness through my marriage even though what I deserve is justice. I will be forever grateful but never worthy- That is grace.

Father in Heaven, Thank you for blessing me so  much more than I deserved. You have given good and perfect gifts through my marriage. You have used Nate to show me Your heart and Your passion. Bless Nate for doing all that You have asked him to do. Bless him for putting up with all my flaws. Help me to become more like the woman he sees me to be. Thank you for the passion, love, and laughter in our marriage. Thank you for bringing us together. Thank you for walking with us through every difficult time. Thank you for 13 years of learning and growing. In Jesus name, amen.