40 Days of Patience

In forty days I'll be a married man!  A few years ago we took our church through 40 Days of Purpose.  Today I'm launching my own campaign: 40 Days of Patience!

Here are some of goals for the campaign:

I want to learn as much as possible.  I've been gathering as many nuggets of marriage advice as I can from just about everyone I meet.  I've got a few more books I want to digest.  And this Friday Leah and I will complete our last session of pre-marital counseling.  I expect that most of what I'll learn about marriage will be through practice, but I appreciate a little advance training!

I want to reflect on singleness.  On January 19 I'll finish an incredible season of my life.  I believe singleness is both a gift and an opportunity.  I'll try and use my blog during the next few weeks to process some personal reflections from my journey.

I want to guard my sexual purity.  I used to think that temptation would die down once the finish line was in sight.  Wrong!  I'm leaning on God's grace, Leah's partnership, and the encouragement of some spiritual brothers to finish well.

I want to get used to serving Leah.  This verse feels like the greatest challenge of my life.  I need all the practice I can get.

Most of all, I'm hoping to maximize the character development that only comes through patience and perseverance.  There are some seasons of life, like engagement, that I'd just prefer to bypass.  But I know every season is strategic.

I've had U2's song 40 on repeat the past few days.  It's my campaign theme song, and simply echoes the first few verses of Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the Lord...

...and Leah:)

Comments

[Chilly]

I'm so happy for you and pray that these final 40 days are filled with revelation, encouragement and joy!

You the man!

[Mary Beth Bradshaw]

These 40 days will be very special for you and Leah...but hopefully they will FLY by!

I really like the serving thing! If you need any advice...just ask Steve. He is great at that!

[Cheryl Floyd]

Pastor, you're in the home stretch...getting there is half the fun, so enjoy each minute of the ride. Cudos to you on the desire to serve Leah...wish there were alot more like you around!!!

[Anonomous]

It's nice to see another single person being honest about these kinds of things that you mentioned. Blessings on you as you enter this new season of life. You are in the right place at the right time.