A husband's confession: The three unforgettable words my wife said at our wedding

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While I vividly remember many moments from my wedding day, there's one moment that still moves me, and I hope it always does.

We had an Anglican wedding ceremony, which has a lovely script, but it doesn't allow for much creativity. Our pastor did make one exception, however: Before we said our vows, he let us share the testimony of how God brought us together.

Despite Raquel's nervousness about talking in front of a large crowd, she did it calmly and confidently. And when she finished telling the story, she looked at me and said three words that have stayed with me: "I'm trusting you."

I still want to be that man she can trust, and on my wedding day, I thought I was. However, if eight years of marriage have taught me anything, it's that being a good husband doesn't come naturally to me. It's often easier for me to be prideful, unwilling to listen, spiritually apathetic, and to put off emotional intimacy for another time.

If eight years of marriage have taught me anything, it's that being a good husband doesn't come naturally to me.

I'm not abandoned to my own devices though. As the Bible says, "[T]hanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). My job as a husband isn't to become something I'm not, but to submit myself to Jesus and let Him grow me into a man who is more like Him.

So as I walk behind Christ — imitating, through obedience, His unconditional love for my wife — I declare the same thing to Him that Raquel did to me: "I'm trusting You."

When I feel tempted by anger, lust, or pride in my marriage.

Jesus, I'm trusting You. 

When I don't want to listen or even try to understand my wife.

I'm trusting You.

When I'm apathetic about spiritually leading my family.

I'm trusting You.

When I don't want to put the time into emotional intimacy.

I'm trusting You.

As I turn to Him, over and over again, I slowly develop a habit of dependency. And in that place, I begin to realize what He means when He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).