Onto year three, and greater humility, please, Lord.

As we finish our year #2 and head into a whole new year of marriage, these are the lessons God is teaching me, that I hope to remember. I am learning that I can joyously and humbly admit my sin, because I know I am not perfect. So often I want to defend myself to you or even myself, especially when you point out fault. But I don't need to do this, because I am growing more and more certain of the sinful nature of my heart. I get glimpses of the rotten motives of my heart and they scare me, even when those motives are not revealed to others around me (though they are probably far more obvious to others than I know).

Life with you is joyous and full, more wonderful and life-giving than I ever could have imagined. I am giving thanks for every part of marriage today, even the moments of conflict. How beautiful it is to have this safe place to work through our sin and issues? Most of the time I start out believing the conflict is your fault. God mostly shows me by the end that I need to focus on the sin in my heart, not yours. Here, in the safety of covenantal love, I can honestly admit and forsake my sin. I am given grace that covers my sin and given grace to turn away from my sin.

Grace upon grace, and that is the certainty upon which we build our love.