Dancing in the Minefields

A few months ago, (3 to be exact) we celebrated our 7 year anniversary.  Celebrated is a "loose" term, since there were a few things going on that week (i.e., Robert's birth).  So, this post is because I don't want such wonderful celebrations to go forgotten.  The past 7 years (and 2 law degrees, 2 bar exams, 1 apartment and 3 houses, 2 dogs and 2 kids later), have been one blessed rollercoaster of a ride.  But, I'm eternally grateful the Lord chose for us to ride it together.

And since we celebrate all major events in our house with some kind of music, the lyrics below really spoke to me about the times when marriage can be hard, and about the times when marriage reflects the gospel.  Whether full of pregnancy hormones, suffering from sleep deprivation, or just being, I can be one royal pain.  One day I hope to be able to follow our heavenly example and lay my own life down...but J, thanks for loving me even when I more often pick up my own sinfulness and selfishness.  You're the best of all earthly blessings that way.

I was nineteen, you were twenty-one
The year we got engaged
Everyone said we were much too young
But we did it anyway

We bought our rings for forty each
From a pawn shop down the road
We made our vows and took the leap
Now fifteen years ago

We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for

"I do" are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another I've heard
Is a good place to begin

'Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it's an easy price
For the life that we have found

And we're dancing in the minefields
We're sailing in the storm
This is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for

So when I lose my way, find me
When I loose love's chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man
So there's nothing left to fear
So I'll walk with you in the shadowlands
Till the shadows disappear

'Cause he promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos, baby,
I can dance with you

Andrew Peterson, Dancing In The Minefields  from his Counting Stars album, available here.