The writer of one of the blogs I read was challenged by the author of one of her favorite blogs (who is recently widowed) to write this week about her husband.  I have chosen to take up the challenge, as well.

From the title, most of you are probably thinking I’m going to talk about Michael’s faithfulness to me.  Although he is faithful to me, that isn’t really what this post is about.

Our life, since our marriage, has been very hard.  We have suffered a good deal of persecution – not the burn-you-at-the-stake or tar-and-feather-you type, but the ostracize-you-and-refuse-you-all-friendship-fellowship-or-a-job variety – because of hard decisions we’ve made.  For the past several years, finances have been a real struggle, because principles have prevented Michael from getting a job that pays well.  It has often felt as if God has hidden us away out here in the woods to rot, and we might have appreciated some digital signage – blinking lights that spell out something to the effect of:

Rameys, go here.  Do this.  Try that.

(Bear with me; I really am going somewhere with this, and it really does have something to do with my husband!)

Despite all the hardship, I am so immensely blessed to be married to a man who is so faithful – not just to me, but to the Lord.  I am married to a man who is committed to serving the Lord Yahweh at any cost.  A brief foray through the Bible quickly shows that this is no small thing.  King Solomon was gifted with greater wisdom than any man before or after him, and tremendous riches, as well.  The Queen of Sheba didn’t even believe the reports about him, they were so amazing, and had to visit him to check it out in person.  Her conclusion?  “Blessed be Yahweh!” because He had so greatly endowed Solomon with wisdom and prosperity.  And yet, even after such tremendous blessing, Solomon did not remain faithful to Yahweh.  Instead, he was drawn into idolatry by his wives, serving Asherah, Molech, and others.

I praise the Lord that my husband is willing to endure all the “junk” we’ve dealt with over these past eight years (and particularly over the past four), to remain faithful to Yahweh and His Word!