She’s Come A Long Way

Today, as mentioned over at The Other Place, is the birthday of my beloved wife reaching ‘cough-cough’ years in age. (What a conveniently placed cough.)

I tend to write quite a bit about her when it comes to our wedding anniversary or her birthday, and I tend to hail her virtues especially as a wife. For this birthday tribute, I intend to highlight how far she’s come as a person.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting she was a ruffian when I met her and because of my patient endurance she has emerged as a quaint princess. It’s just that one of the verses in scripture that keeps bugging me is Peter’s encouragement for us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. That suggests some evidence of growth must be apparent in the believer’s life. You should be able to look back and with no hint of pride but every sense of gratitude be able to identify where and how you’ve grown. I have had the privilege of observing such growth in me beloved and I’m happy to celebrate this day by giving God thanks for those evidences of growth.

It would be an easy cop out to say that Authrine has matured, but that’s not saying much and it’s also assuming she was immature when I met her. As it happens when I met her she came across as someone level-headed and aware of her responsibilities. Where she has grown in my time with her is her confidence and boldness. There may have been episodes in the past for which she would have been anxious or apprehensive. That has lessened as she has grown in faith. Now as well as the words of confidence there is even greater substance in her moves that reinforce her faith. That is particularly the case in her relationships, where a few people might have held sway for her opinions, she is realising that she doesn not have to be tied down in dogged devotion to an individual to gain their approval. She realises more just what she offers to a relationship that enriches and strengthens it from a more mutual basis.

I mentioned her being responsible and that remains an admirable trait, where she has also grown, partly I believe because of her children, is in setting her priorities less on future concerns and more on enjoying the present. She remains ever prudent, but also is not so caught up with the loud clamour for attention from forces that are not that urgent. She can enjoy her life even more with her family and friends as a result.

One thing that living in a strange land has done for Authrine is that her relationship with Jesus is moulded in a shape not as dependent on cultural or denominational influences. She was never dogmatic on certain issues of doctrine, but now she has a greater appreciation for how God moves in the church and whilst still passionate about charismatic expressions in corporate worship, she is even more sensitive and appreciative of other traditions.

Authrine has an insatiable desire to learn. Not in the academic sense but via the university of life. As a result her compassion and insight on people and situations has become more considerate and passionate than ever before. The fundamentals of her life have not changed and have been reinforced through her experiences, but life has also taught her to wait and think more before giving the benefit of her opinion. As a result, believe it or not, she has an even greater capacity to love, laugh and enjoy the valuable things in life from relationships to her responsibilities.

In as much as this tribute might make much of my wife’s develoopment as a person, the underlying fact remains, she has made progress only because of the grace of God in her life and her commitment to be shaped into Jesus’ character. Though she is not the finished article and there is a way to go, from being the beautiful woman I met all those years ago, Authrine has still come a long way and I have the utmost respect and admiration for how far she’s come.

Thank you Lord for your grace in Authrine’s life. Happy birthday, beloved, keep on keeping on.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd