You know the old saying, "you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relatives". Well to some degree, this is true, but in some ways it is not.
As an example, I picked my wife, and I made a good choice. Sonja and I are in our 17th year of marriage, and while, like any marriage we had a few rough times early on as we learned more about marriage and then grew in the Lord together, she has become my best friend, and I'd have it no other way.
As an example, I picked my wife, and I made a good choice. Sonja and I are in our 17th year of marriage, and while, like any marriage we had a few rough times early on as we learned more about marriage and then grew in the Lord together, she has become my best friend, and I'd have it no other way.
I was not a Christian growing up. If you would have asked me I would have said I was, but not only was I not, I had no idea what it meant to be one. Christianity was a culture to me, not a 
relationship as I now understand it and live it. Having a partner to grow in this understanding with is indispensible, having the right one is irreplaceable. Not only does she support and encourage me, she reminds me, gently, of times when my will finds my flesh instead of my Father’s desires for my life. She offers loving advice and counsel, and yet allows me to lead in the role that God gave me as a husband. My wife is irreplaceable.
Not only has she become the smile that can change the outcome of my day, or the smile that adjusts my attitude, through her I have been blessed with three more friends and family members. Our three children are truly the joy we live for. What an awesome privilege and pleasure it is to raise these gifts that God has given us. And to be able to do so with a mother that is so dedicated, caring and committed to their proper education and upbringing in the Lord, is something neither I nor she could ever have imagined.
relationship as I now understand it and live it. Having a partner to grow in this understanding with is indispensible, having the right one is irreplaceable. Not only does she support and encourage me, she reminds me, gently, of times when my will finds my flesh instead of my Father’s desires for my life. She offers loving advice and counsel, and yet allows me to lead in the role that God gave me as a husband. My wife is irreplaceable.Not only has she become the smile that can change the outcome of my day, or the smile that adjusts my attitude, through her I have been blessed with three more friends and family members. Our three children are truly the joy we live for. What an awesome privilege and pleasure it is to raise these gifts that God has given us. And to be able to do so with a mother that is so dedicated, caring and committed to their proper education and upbringing in the Lord, is something neither I nor she could ever have imagined.
Our children bless us every day. Their laughter, their anger, their hard work, and their laziness all give us opportunity to teach and raise them in a Godly manner that will allow them to be a blessing to theirs rather than a curse to society like we see of so much of our youth today. Playing cards, quickly becoming a favorite pass-time, and other games, watching a quality movie with some popcorn and a cozie blanket (sometimes with a dog or two snuggled in their as well) build bonds and memories. And as I look at them, I am constantly reminded that they would not be there if it were not for my wonderful, and gorgeous wife.To me, it’s not “friends & family”, instead I say “friends ARE family”. I picked my friend, who became my wife, that produced our family, and they are my best friends. I only wish that more people would be so blessed to be able to say the same thing about their wives, family, and lives.
