We recently celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.
Wuh What?
How did we even make it this far?
There were times I didn’t think we would.
Before we got married, my husband and I attended a vision retreat where we were asked to brainstorm a vision for our family. We were just 22 years old. What did we know about marriage or having a family?
After a brief time of prayer, my husband said, “Stand Out. Farrises will Stand Out.”
“Ummm NO," I said. "I do not want to stand out in front of anybody,” I said.
In fact, standing out was the last thing I want to do. Give me a book and a quiet corner and that’s where I wanted to be. I had a completely negative view of what standing out would mean.
Won’t people stare at us? Point us out? LAUGH at us? What is he even TALKING ABOUT???
Insecurity was driving these crazy thoughts in my head. Fear of REJECTION, fear of FAILURE, all of these demons were screaming at me. Am I sure I even want to marry this guy with this crazy vision?
Little did I know that the paths we would choose on this great adventure of marriage and family would make us STAND OUT by default.
You know, the paths like having a biblical worldview. Or conservative values. Did you know conservative values are rare in our society? That adhering to the Bible as a moral compass puts us in the minority, and maybe even in the "crazy" category?
How 'bout this path: Staying married.
Yes.
NOT giving up.
DOING the hard things.
Galatians 6:9 says,
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
WE CAN DO THIS!!! I want the blessing, don't you?
As we begin our blog, we plan to capture stories from families, like YOU, all across the world that are STANDING OUT, triumphantly! Our prayer is that you would be able to find your destiny and identity as a family, and discover truly who God made you to be.
Be bold, be yourself, and stand out from the rest by sharing your gifts with the world.
Let's do this!
Jennifer