My husband said for a long time that we needed to find a hobby to do together. I wasn't hip on the hobbies he suggested, and he wasn't interested in mine either, at least then. And then suddenly, this past fall, he started running with me.
In all the years we spent together, we have run three 5Ks: one while we were dating, one the year we got married, and one we put on for ourselves during COVID. In the last three months of 205, however, we went to four different running events: OhSo2Sole, the Night Run, the Foster 5K, and a turkey trot. We ran the Night Run entirely together as a dating anniversary activity, and we finished the Foster 5K together. Yes, I invited my husband to these events, but he came, willingly. He went on to recently run a 5K all by himself
Of all the things I have prayed for in our marriage, this is not one of them (or at least a current prayer request). Before I met my husband, I think I thought it would be ideal if my future husband was a runner, but I was not set on it. Throughout most of our marriage, running has been my thing. My husband has supported me, and it has been good. Slowly over these past few months, however, running has become more of our thing. What a blessing!
I have prayed for many things in marriage. I have labored and strived and stressed. Most of them have not come to fruition during my periods of striving. If at all, they have come when I have given up, when I have decided to pray for my husband's character, instead of for something to change in him, or in our marriage. I think that is the way God works sometimes. God wants to change me when I pray, not just give my what I ask for.
God is not a vending machine. He is the source of "every good and perfect gift, however" (English Standard Version, 2019, James 1:17). He is the author of every blessing. Sometimes those gifts just do not come when or how I expect. Will future hard times come in our marriage? Certainly. Will I labor in prayer for things I want in our marriage, rather than what God wants? I am a sinner, so I probably will, but I hope I also grow in my joy in the Lord, in acceptance, and in contentment.
God has given us marriage. He has given us for now, a shared hobby, and I am sure he will give us other unexpected blessings in the future. We just need to be open to receive them.I hope I also grow in looking for and seeing God's blessings, whatever they may be. To God be the glory!
Reference:
English Standard Version. (2019). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy
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