5 years and counting…

5 years ago exactly today marks a milestone in our lives as a couple… the fulfilment not only of my promise to the Girl of my life, but more than that, the promise of an ever faithful God in Romans 8:28 that “all things will work out for the good of all those who love him.” 2014 July 2, in the same place where Monique flaked out on me the first time i asked her out after a hosting stint, I married her in front of all 290 witnessed composed of friends and families. Today i would like to you all know, what a great journey it has been. It was far from being perfect having its ups and down, but knowing we are in Jesus hands all along, we knew there are no storms we cannot weather. In proverbs 31, King Lemuel tells his son “Do not waste strength on women who ruin kings”. and it is true, that women have been their downfall of many men. Time and time again, we see men who had flourishing career, full of life ahead of them and then suddenly they plummet down because of a woman. Reading further in this chapter from verse 10 onwards, King Lemuel what kind of woman we ought to look for. I just realise there are exactly my wife’s qualities.

Holocaust Museum during our honey moon

1. A Woman of Faith (v26) – My wife didn’t only help me come to know the Lord, Were also growing more in love with the Lord as we grow more in love with each other as days go by. I love it when i see her serving not only me but Jesus. 2. Does her role as a wife (v11) – She respects me 100% of the time, she is my companion in everything and she has my complete trust and faith. 3. Motherly (v28) – She is not only a great wife but a true “mother” to our children. See is amazing when you see her home school our kids. 4. Energetic & strong (v17) – She goes to the gym with me & joins me during my medical check-ups making sure we are both in the best health. 5. Serves family & charitable (v15/20) – she will always be in the lookout for what she can do to serve the family, she hardly complains and has a soft heart for the poor. 6. Spends money wisely (v14) – She is the official finance person of our family and all our businesses. She is not a fan of shopping and if ever it is just in flea markets. She hates branded stuff (fake or genuine) & hardly wears jewelries. 7. Hard Worker (v13) – Monique is an accomplisher. Though she loves to sleep she makes sure than nothing is left undone. when she knows I am tired, she takes over and rallies the team to the finish line. 8. Home Maker (v15) – I am amazed at how my wife knows the lives of our helpers in the house. She ministers to them and encourages them. 9. Spends time well (v27) – She knows her priorities and puts family on top of the list (next to God). She values time and does not waste it. 10. True Beauty (v10) – She is not only beautiful on the outside (which attracted me to her in the first place) but once you get to know her she is even more beautiful inside. Come to think of it. When i was in teen age I had a favorite song from Depeche Mode. It described what I truly wanted a girl. Today i realize that God has answered my long time prayer when i was young when I said that the lyrics of the song “Somebody” is my ideal partner. I want somebody to share Share the rest of my life Share my innermost thoughts Know my intimate details Someone who’ll stand by my side And give me support And in return She’ll get my support She will listen to me When I want to speak About the world we live in And life in general Though my views may be wrong They may even be perverted She’ll hear me out And won’t easily be converted To my way of thinking In fact she’ll often disagree But at the end of it all She will understand me I want somebody who cares For me passionately With every thought and With every breath Someone who’ll help me see things In a different light All the things I detest I will almost like In case you haven’t read Proverbs 31 here it is. My wife is indeed more precious than rubies: Proverbs 31 1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. 2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. … snip snip snip … 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. 20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. 21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. 22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. 24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. 26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. 27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. 28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.