I was the 12 year old who thought Hawaiian shirts were cool. (In my defense, they were all the rage and I did look amazing). 12 was the age I started spending every Friday night at youth group. I can remember meeting him that first night, but if you had told me then (or anytime during the next 5 years) that he would end up being my husband, I would have laughed in your face, hysterically!
He was a typical teenage boy: a smart aleck, who wasn’t always great at listening to authority figures, but geez did he make people laugh. I have always admired his carefree attitude and his ability to laugh at himself and make people feel instantly at ease in his company.
So, we were acquaintances during high school, then the day I beat him at a donut eating competition, he knew he’d marry me. From acquaintances to best friends, we spent time getting to know each other, with no pressure to make it into something else. It was the perfect foundation. I just didn’t know it yet.
After about a year of friendship, I read Francine Rivers’ A Lineage of Grace, where Rivers unfolds biblical stories and adds her imagined dialogue, drama and emotions to truly bring them to life. Her take on the story of Ruth and Boaz changed the course of my life forever. She paints Boaz as a respected, loyal and dependable man. One who loved Ruth with such fervor, but such humility. It spoke to me so powerfully.
I prayed, nay, I begged God for a Boaz and was shocked when He showed me that he was already in my life.
Scott saw me without any pretense and without any makeup. He got to know the real me, warts and all, well before I realised this was an essential part of a lasting marriage.
So, we started dating and 3 years in, I nearly broke us. Having never really learnt how to resolve conflict well, I unleashed 3 years of pain, heartache and problems in a single night! I wouldn’t recommend it. But God showed us both how to work through it, together, and to come out stronger for it.
Now, after being together for almost half our lives, I am so grateful for him every single day! He reminds me of Jesus’ description of a servant, as he regularly puts himself last. He serves our family in countless ways that I am ashamed to admit I often take for granted. He loves with a bold, fierce love, as our family’s protector. He makes us laugh daily (like, full, snorting laughter), he cooks, he cleans, he shops, he works, he reads to and wrestles with our sons, he brings joy to all those who spend time with him, he inspires me to be a better person. He encourages, he teaches, he listens, he listens, he listens, even when I don’t stop talking and he is so so kind.
So, for those who are looking for a Boaz, keep trusting in God. And for those who have found one – never take them for granted, they are truly a gift from heaven.
BB
P.S. This photo is courtesy of the incredible Naomi from SheerImage Photography. Do yourself a favour and call her. She’s amazing!
