it’s active
“ian, we’re being given a car for free. should we sell ours or give it away too?”
“we have to give it away.”
he’s a profoundly solid and simple leader. because of that, it’s usually a joy to follow his direction. especially when it came to the car. he knew that because we were being blessed with a car for free, that we could in turn bless someone else just as much. i might not have made that decision on my own. or, i could have just not told him, and made the decision myself.
that’s where being married to a husband with a brain injury relies solely on the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart. it is tempting to just make decisions, spend money, or do things without telling ian. i could get away with a lot. he’s not paying attention to the details, simply because he can’t. unless i, being his helper, bring those things to him, and allow him to lead me.
“wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:22.
submission for me is so clearly an action. i need to bring things to ian. he has given me the trust and confidence that i need to make some decisions on my own, like good husbands do. i don’t have to take everything to him. however, when i asked ian for an example of what that looks like, he gave me about 14 fake and sarcastic examples. so, he’s not allowed to get a quote on the blog tonight. 🙂 but truly, for example, ian doesn’t care what i make for dinner, because he says that what i make is always good.
what does matter though is that i try to cultivate a heart of submission, even though it doesn’t look like submission in a lot of other marriages from the outside. but i think the heart issue is probably still the same. and i am so thankful that the Holy Spirit dwells in me, because without, i would make a terrible mess of our marriage and we would probably be broke.
so tonight i’m thankful that i have a God who lives in me and in our marriage.
thank you, always, for praying.
larissa
Karen
May 31, 2012 at 1:35 am
WOW, Larissa! Truly powerful and clearly the work of the Holy Spirit!
{nikki}
May 31, 2012 at 2:18 am
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! That is great news about the car! I love that you decided to give away your car in order to be a blessing to someone else. I think that the reason God blesses us so richly is because He wants us to in turn be a blessing to others. After all, none of our things are really "ours", are they? They are simply loaners while we are here on earth.
Thank you once again for directing my focus once again toward Heaven.
God bless you both,
Nikki
PS. I'd love to hear some of Ian's sarcastic comments! 😉
Mrs.Rabe
May 31, 2012 at 2:24 am
I like how you expressed the need to let Ian lead you – that is truly what all we wives need to do! Not always easy though.
Thanks for your wise words tonight!
Deanna
Karen
May 31, 2012 at 2:35 am
so sweet <3 God keep!
anonymous
May 31, 2012 at 2:46 am
Larissa, I am following your blog. You are a remarkable woman of God. God is using you tremendously to convict and encourage others. You are an example of a Christ-centred life. praying for you.
anonymous
May 31, 2012 at 2:52 am
Thank you for the challenge to be obedient to God's instructions to us wives, even when maybe only we would know otherwise. I guess that's not true obedience is it? Praying for you and Ian.
Gail
Summer
May 31, 2012 at 3:41 am
thank you for sharing 🙂 what a beautiful picture you have painted of true and active submission. I don't know that I've ever thought of it that way.
Pretty lady
May 31, 2012 at 3:44 am
you both bless me so much
anonymous
May 31, 2012 at 9:04 am
God is being glorified through your marriage. I thank God for both your lives. I came to this blog because i knew i would be encouraged and i was. God bless you both.
Katy~The Country Blossom
May 31, 2012 at 9:57 am
Beautifully said.
We are such wretches in and of ourselves…all goodness in us is that beautifully indwelling Holy Spirit…I, too, am so thankful for Him.
Wishing you and Ian a beautiful day ahead. 🙂 I am still praying!
Warmly,
Katy
Kristy
May 31, 2012 at 1:05 pm
I love the point that you make here, that you could get by with a lot…you could make most desicions on your own, and get by with it…but praise God, you have His spirit in you, that causes you to bring these things to your husband, in submission… We all need that reminder and example 🙂
Thanking God for you Larissa, thanking God that Ian can lead as the husband – when given the opportunity, praying for strength and endurance for you both, for Ian to walk, and for joy to be had 🙂
dr.ekwegh
May 31, 2012 at 3:46 pm
I came across your blog after watching your video testimony. You have inspired and encouraged me and I know pray for you and Ian daily and as often as I can remember. God bless you richly.
Mandy
May 31, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Beautiful! Your message is loud and clear and right to the point…thanks so much for sharing it!
anonymous
June 1, 2012 at 1:13 am
this is wonderfully put and very insightful… so often wives with able-brained husbands will dismiss their perspective and belittle their judgment when we should be doing the opposite, and you set a wonderful example, going out of your way to honor your husband and obey Christ. You challenged me to check that i am doing the same.
mercygraceword
June 1, 2012 at 1:28 am
So wonderful. I just finished studying Keller's book 'The Meaning of Marriage' and God is using your testimony to emphasize some of the beautiful truths found in that book.
Much grace and peace and joy to you,
CharityElaine
June 1, 2012 at 1:48 am
Beautiful. May you continue to be richly blessed in your love for each other and for the Lord.
Miss G
June 1, 2012 at 2:47 am
I just found your blog and this post is an encouragement and challenge. Oh how easy it is not to want to submit but praise God for His Holy Spirit who works in us! Kelly
Seda
June 1, 2012 at 3:45 am
Thank you. I needed these words tonight. Praise be to God for husbands who know where they are going, whom they are beholding.
writingforthegloryofgod
June 2, 2012 at 1:25 am
Good advice, Larissa. We just celebrated our 35th anniversary this past weekend, and your words are solid, no matter how long the marriage. Ask the man. Let him lead.
Amy Shaughnessy
June 2, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I just found your blog through another blog. Your story is so incredible and you are such an inspiration and example to other married couples out there. You embody what true love should look like. Hollywood shows portrays love as lust and it's "all about what I want," etc. True love is dying to self. I'm so glad I found your blog and I am following you on Bloglovin so I can keep up!
Amy
Shelley
June 3, 2012 at 4:20 am
Loving that Ian is a profound yet simple leader – we need more men like him – lead on Ian and God bless your submission Larrisa – praying for legs that will walk! God is able x
Beacon2Light
June 5, 2012 at 4:02 am
Larissa,
I loved the bringing of the idea of what to do with the car to Ian and I especially love your submissive attitude. To see that obedience to Scripture in whatever way you can despite Ian's brain injury is truly inspirational. God bless you both!
Shelley Q
June 5, 2012 at 5:29 am
praying for you. Praying for God to make me more like you in this area. Thanks for inspiring me.
Rachelp
June 5, 2012 at 11:10 am
Thank you for encouraging the rest of us to be obedient to the Lord… May God continue to richly bless your family.
Lauren
June 7, 2012 at 5:26 am
Thank you for this…God is so very gracious isn't He? I will be praying for you and for your family.