I look back and reflect on all the things that have happened in both Ricardo and my pasts. There’s a verse in the Bible that says “all things work to the good of those who know and serve the Lord.” I’ve seen that verse at play. For all the tough moments we’ve endured and all the ways God has shown us his faithfulness, He’s built in us the ability to handle tough situations and compassion to be better friends to those walking tough roads right now.
I think about all the friends and family who saw us through dark times and just loved us through it. Today, we honor that gift by doing the same for others. I can’t stress enough the importance of your prayers during some really incredible moments in our lives and the lives of our friends and family.
Ricardo and I usually set annual goals of things we’d like to accomplish or just focuses for our lives in that year. The one thing I’m most grateful for in my husband is his servant’s heart. Ricardo will do without to give to others. Now I may paint my handsome husband out to be a prince but he has flaws and moments too. So do I but together we make each other better. It doesn’t mean we don’t have our moments cause Lord knows we do...but I’m grateful for this man and all the ways he brings balance to my life.
Talking with my mom last night, I was telling her about how our day had gone and just things that we felt God was doing in our lives. My sister lost her husband this past summer and our good friend lost her husband just this last week. It’s heartbreaking because we know that the road to healing is long and hard. But we know both those ladies are better women for having loved! I got choked up talking to my mom because our friend and her husband are such great people who love others and who genuinely love and serve the Lord! We celebrated his life yesterday through a beautiful memorial service. As I’m telling my mom and got choked up, my husband half asleep reaches out to hold my hand.
That’s why I love that man...and it’s moments like that that I hope and pray come to mind when we’re in the throes of a disagreement or when one of us doesn’t make the best decisons.
We know in our heads that we’re not guaranteed tomorrow...but for me, I believe Chris gave us a beautiful gift. I think he really taught us of the urgency of today. Don’t put off what needs to be said or done today because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.Chris left this earth for his heavenly home last Friday on January 26.
On Saturday Jan 27th, we were in Austin to celebrate the lives of our niece and nephew who passed away 10 years ago. I never had the opportunity to met either one because they were gone before I came into the family. But I had heard stories of what they loved and who they were. Hannah was 11 and Quentin was almost 2.5. They were lost in a tragic housefire. From what I understand, Hannah went back in for her little brother. Firefighters found them together and they were both rushed to the hospital.
When I first came to know Ricardo’s family, you could still see the scars of what had happened to their family. They’re not perfect but no family is but what I found incredibly remarkable is their dedication to family. I know directly that comes from Ricardo’s parents. It’s one of the things that I love about Ricardo because I know he understands how important family is. We’re both close to our families but likely in different ways because he’s a man and he’s an introvert. I have such admiration for them because despite such a tragic event they’ve gotten back up and continue to face life. They miss those little ones dearly and I know that Hannah and Quentin were deeply loved by this family. I also know that we’ll see them again.
I don’t pretend to know “why’s” of life’s tragic events. Even know, I cannot wrap my mind around the loss of two little ones or of the passing of our friend Chris. It’s unfair...and it’s painful but we were never promised as believers to be exempt from pain or to be exempt from life’s cruelty. We’ve only been promised that we wouldn’t go through it alone. There’s a great deal of comforting in knowing that.
