It is amazing how much you notice when you are copying word by word. I've noticed several things that I never have before. So we get to Eve. The first thing I noticed was that God made Adam self sustaining basically. That struck me new. He could do everything he needed to do... except a companion. A helper. So God put Adam to sleep and made a woman out of a man. I'm sure you've read the story a hundred times.
We get to the tree and the serpent. Eve takes the fruit and gives it to her husband who was standing there with her. He was there the whole time? It doesn't say specifically, but it sounds like he was. He took the fruit. What was going through his mind? Was he remembering what God had said? Was he zoning out so that he didn't actually hear and pay attention to what Eve was saying and handing him...I can see that happening. Was he just afraid to stand up and say "no, God said no so we will not eat it." Their eyes were not opened until Adam ate the fruit. I knew that. Adam being the head of the home, their sin didn't produce a consequence until he ate. So in a way, did he cover her sin? So deep.
They eat, they hide and God comes. They know the sound of His steps. Verse 9, God calls Adam, "Where are you?" This is where it got crazy for me. God called Adam, and the form of 'you' that God called was singular. Meaning, God wasn't calling Eve. I never noticed that before. In verse 11 God continues to question Adam, not Eve. Then Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. But God called Adam out and questioned him first. He was responsible for his family and the sin that was in their home. Crazy to think that if Adam said no that even though Eve would have eaten, the fall may not have happened... yet. What a huge responsibility!
As I sat and was writing these words my mind just swirls. There are so many huge decisions that we are walking through right now. Three years ago this week, Mike moved to Lehigh to live with my parents and work until our house was sold. That was hard. The months before that move he walked two other roads to see if God had doors open. All I could do as his wife was wait... and pray desperately. I wanted my husband to know what God had for him and I know that my calling is to primarily be in my home. I knew that I was doing what God has called me to do so I know that Mike had to figure out what God has called him to do. I think that is the first time I have ever let go of control completely in our marriage. Months separated, states away at some points. But God showed up. He led my husband. It was a beautiful thing to watch how God unfolded the whole thing step by step, week by week and at the end, day by day God opened new doors after so long of waiting and praying.
Looking back on those things is the only thing that help me to hold on and to trust decisions that appear to be crazy. Exciting but crazy. Risks that require huge faith. As I struggle day by day with these decisions and questions that are constantly coming at me from the boys, the moment I ask Mike how he is dealing with it and if he is still sure I am able to tighten my drip to hold on longer. My husband for the first time ever has been strong and without hesitation, sure of what God is calling him to do today, in this moment. Trusting that God holds the future and no matter what happens in the end, that God has him. Knowing that changes everything in me. From doubt and fear to faith and hope. Moments of fear still hit me, but I am fighting.
Trusting my husband is not something that has come automatically. As I know any wife would say the same. The last 13 years there have been many failures on each of our parts. We have learned so many things about each other. I think that the most important thing is that we have learned that we each truly wish to do the best for the other. His desire is to love me as Christ loves the Church and he really does strive for that in every way I can think. Of course he struggles sometimes, but his desire is for my good. Knowing that has caused me to trust him, he doesn't want us to fail any more than I do. He wants us to be happy and in love and have children who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Knowing his heart is for me makes me want to serve him and to love him. It even makes me want to submit to him and his leadership in our home and even in my personal issues. I know those things are hard to say and to read. They are so foreign to our culture. But as I read about Eve and Adam, I can't help but wonder. The enemy went straight to her because he knew the plan of God, and he wanted to destroy it. Adam was supposed to have protected her and offered her help. God arranged it this way.
In my marriage I want to follow the plan of God. I don't want to be used by the enemy against my marriage, my family or my husband. Writing this today is hard. Mike has made another huge decision and he has his foot out about to step off the ledge of what I know to be true. From what I can see with my eyes. But my ways are not God's ways and my plans are not God's plans. I am so thankful for a man who follows God and desires the best for me. I know deeply how hard that is to find. This man helps make me into the woman that God wants for me to be. So profound, I can barely wrap my mind around it.
Father, take me and use me to bring glory to You in my marriage and in my family. Help me to always remember that You are the One who leads my husband as he seeks You. Thank you that You are my good Father.
