Blessings after Obedience

At the beginning of this year, God clearly instructed me to take my hands off from all of my activities and just focus on growing as a full-time wife to Mike. It took me sometime before I finally decided to respond to God's calling for me. There were many things that caused my delay in obedience. I had a struggle accepting the fact that I have to fully depend on my husband for our financial needs. I was concerned of what other people would think. What about my degree? What about my career? What about my past achievements? Title? The things that I have worked so hard for in our business, the vision that I wanted for myself in the future. The pride of life kept me from obeying God's call.

The Lord said in Isaiah 48:17 

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Yes it took sometime, but we all know how the Lord works. He dealt with my disobedient heart and so I finally decided to obey His instruction. I took my hands off from the matters concerning our business and I decided to start my journey in being the wife that God wants me to be. I started reading books and listening to podcast of different Christian Women who have been faithful in their walk with the Lord which blessed their families in amazing ways. One of my favorites is the Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin. It's a must-read to every wife out there! It can truly save, restore, and enrich a marriage!

As I continue to seek, I realized that being a "Wife After God's Own Heart" is a lot harder than I thought. It meant putting my husband first before my own selfish desires. It meant giving up some things that I love to do, even some music that I love to listen to so I can look feminine in his sight (my husband is not delighted when I listen to hardcore rock music). It meant being careful on every word that comes out of my mouth knowing that it can make or break him. It meant being aware of when to speak and when not to speak, mastering the art of "shut up and pray". It meant understanding his ways and not attempting to change him knowing that only God has the power to do that. It meant knowing his deepest needs and going the extra mile in meeting them, doing things that I never thought I could possibly do for anyone. It meant humility. It meant surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit knowing that it is impossible to do it on my own. It made me realize that the reason why God made His standards so high is that so I would never feel that I did them by myself.

The Lord promised His blessings after obedience (Deuteronomy 28). In just a short span of time I felt the blessings that He poured on our marriage. I felt Mike's love and affection grew deeper and deeper to me, which I believe is the greatest desire of every wife. He spends more time with me. We talk, we laugh, we share dreams together! He spoils me, he literally puts me on a pedestal! I would say that our marriage became a lot happier than it already was!

Last Tuesday night was one of the happiest nights of my life! Out of nowhere, Mike spoke to me just before we went to sleep and he said:

"I am so proud to have you as my wife. The more na na-ggrow ka sa relationship mo kay Lord, the more na mas napapamahal ako sa'yo at na-iinspire ako na gawin ang roles ko as a husband. Ito na ang pinaka masayang pakiramdam ko bilang husband sa 3yrs na magkasama tayo. I am proud of you and I love you."  (English Translation: "The more that you're growing with your relationship with the Lord, the more I fall in love with you and you inspire me to do my role as a husband. This is my happiest moment as a husband in 3 years that we've been together. I am proud of you and I love you.")

I just can't help but burst into tears after hearing those words! The joy I felt cannot be compared to any of my past achievements, dreams for the future or anything that I had to give up along the process. I just felt that it was the Lord's way of affirming me and telling me, "Misce, I know it has not been easy for you. But I want you to know that I am pleased with your obedience... I am with you! Keep it up! I am proud of you and I love you my Princess." 

Thank you Jesus! This is what I could have had missed if I did not obey!  I know that I am still a work in progress... still far from being the wife, the daughter, and the woman of God that He wants me to be, but I know that  He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it! (Philippians 1:6) TO GOD BE ALL THE HONOR, GLORY AND PRAISE!