Everything and nothing

"I got the dress, I got the rings, I got a song that I can sing,
I got the bread, I got the wine, but I've the life that I left behind,
I've got everything, but I got nothing without you.."
- Derek Webb

There's one thing that I tell people when they're about to get married now. And it is: You're still the same person when you walk back down the aisle as you were when you were walking up it. I think that it's the one thing that I wish someone had told me, that I would still be the same and that Brian would also. Not that it would have changed my decision, I think I would have been a whole heck of a lot more prepared for married life than I was if I had realized this crucial fact. It's just that as a little girl, I dreamed of having a wedding and a prince charming and riding off into the sunset to live happily ever after. And, while life's great, it's certainly not that. I still have all of the same quirks and insecurities now, I still worry about the same stuff, and am plagued by the same sin. Before I was married, I somehow thought that all of the issues would fade when I became Mrs. Magee but they didn't. And I realize I may be starting to sound negative about marriage, but wait for it, I'm not finished yet.

I love being Brian's wife. I love him so much more than I did on our wedding day. But contrary to popular belief, he did not complete me. He did not fulfill me. Only Christ can do that. So, I must still trust Him like I did in my singleness. My whole worth must STILL come from Him alone. If I have it all, I have nothing without Jesus Christ.

Skinny Jeans

I have been meaning to write about this for quite some time, so, finding myself in the middle of a paper and wanting to procrastinate more, here goes...Skinny jeans, they're "all the rage" this year for some ungodly reason. They fit only 0.02% of the population and they are not even flattering on those people. I know that everyone in my generation swore that we would never, EVER resort back to the clothing of our elementary school years, yet, here we are again. At the beginning of the season when they first began to rear their wide backsides and tight ankles, I was utterly appalled. Then, like magic, I found myself wanting a pair one day. I even went so far as to go to a store and try on a pair. Fortunately for me, ten years of running has left me with "plus sized calf muscles" and the jeans wouldn't even make it up to my waist. So, what I normally consider a curse (my legs), saved me from myself. Now it seems like people are again realizing why we've hated this style since the last time it went out. They seem to be going out quietly, which is good for all women.

Not to spiritualize everything, but when I was thinking about this earlier today, I thought about how this is very similar to the way that sin works. On the outside and at first glance, it might seem horrible and unlike anything that I would ever do. Then, little by little, I see others doing it, hear about how good it may look, and I find myself trying it on for size. It's tricky like that. And it's exactly the reason why I must continually look to Christ for my life, my satisfaction, my guidance, my LIFE. The world will only leave me uncomfortable and funny looking, trying to be something other than who I was created to be.

So, ladies, proudly wear your boot-cut and flare legged pants, and look to Christ, the author and perfector of our faith.