To My Wife...10 years later

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

As I read one of the most famous chapters on love in the bible, I am reminded how often I truly fail at love.  How often have I become angry at the ones I love? How often have I kept a record of wrongs against those who have failed me?  How often have I been rude?  How often am I proud?... Don't answer that!

I am so thankful for a God who provides me an example of true love!  

Almost ten(10) years ago, one of the best decisions in my life took place.  I married you on March 9, 2002.  You are my best friend! I love you!

Love rejoices in the truth...

Truth is I have not always been the greatest husband. I have failed you, Becca, many times. But the truth is over the past ten (10) years we have become honest with ourselves about who each other is as a person and as a spouse.  We rejoice in the truth about each other.  We are both not perfect!  We do not want to be perfect! I love that about us!!!

Love protects...

Becca Andrews Graves is worth fighting for. I will always fight for you! I am your protector.

Love trusts...

Becca you are THE most trusting, God fearing and honest woman I know.

Love hopes...

If the next 10 years are any resemblance of our first 10 years of marriage, there is nothing but hope.  I am still glad we can enjoy simple things like setting suns and chasing moons, when we laugh and when we cry.  What an amazing mother and friend that I get to call my wife!  I pray that as a family,  we can have an impact on many lives throughout our time on earth.  

Love perseveres...

When I proposed to you over 11 years ago, I told you the following:

I love you will you please be mine.
I'll hold you close when you might cry
Our love is patient, our love is kind.
Your beauty lies within my eyes forever.
I praise the Lord everytime I think of you.
Pure and precious you waited for me.
You fear the Lord, that's to be praised.
Will you please be my wife, forever.

This is more true now!


Love never fails...
My love for you is abundant!!!


Your husband,
deepergraves

Drops of Silence

As I am writing this, I am literally in tears.  These are not tears of pain, suffering or loss.  These are not even tears of joy.  

"They Are Just Thorns"

This morning was an energy drain.  It was a morning that was planned and well prepared for. My "C" personality could not have contributed any more to the task at hand.  It was time just to be honest and authentic. I poured out, friends listened, God smiled.

On the way back to the office, I began speaking to God.  (BTW - I do this a lot when I drive.)  For the most part, these conversations usually consist of me sharing my frustrations with life and sometimes even with God. Today,  wasn't any different. 

Here is how these conversations with God in my truck play out.

• I raise my voice to share my points to God.
• I calm down and sit in silence, so He can respond. But ultimately the silence gets to me, so I turn on the radio for some "relief." 
• I then, out of pure disdain for Kevin Fowler's wobbly vibrato, turn off the radio again.  
• Once again I start to spew my thoughts to God.

The above scenario played out for miles as I drove back to the office.  Once I turned into the church parking lot, God shouted... Can you shut your trap for a moment!!!!

"I Will Walk The Path With You"

NewChurch sits on 20 acres and I never really go enjoy all that the piece of property has to offer.  So I drove my truck to the back acreage of the property.  Turned off the ignition, pulled out my lunch, turned off some horrible Texas Country Music and said, Ok, God, my mouth is shut!!!!

God, in as few words as possible said this... Do you see and hear the beauty that is all around you that I created?  Why do you want control? Have I gotten you this far?  Do you trust Me? Chris, you know who you are and I am here with you.  

I then sat in silence for 45 minutes.  Just God and myself. Silence brought me to tears.

deeper graves