Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And let’s respond to God’s call with a hearty “Wilco, Lord!” Please help me welcome my friend Amy to the blogging “stage!”
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“Faith is a gift from God. It is our duty to accept it.” –MNSGR Gerald Ward
Many years ago, my husband and I attended a marriage retreat when we were stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. I couldn’t have been more excited. A weekend away in Nashville at the Opryland hotel! All expenses paid! Just us! My mom had even flown in to watch our 20-month-old. Fresh from his first deployment, the husband and I were more than ready to delve into our marriage through some bible study and companionship with other military couples. I even remember pulling out my “formal shoes” and my go-to little black dress in the hopes of a fancy dinner. This. Was. Serious.
We arrived to find our study material would be The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Many of you may be familiar with the study, but for those that are not, Chapman contends that every one of us has a “love language.” In simple terms, your love language is your jam. It’s what makes you tick, what really gets you going. Knowing your own love language and, more importantly your spouse’s love language, is key to a successful relationship and a healthy long-lasting marriage. The five love languages are (in no particular order) words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, quality time and receiving gifts. After a few ice breakers we were each handed a questionnaire with about 30 questions. We tallied our own results and then the chaplain asked for a show of hands.
“Let’s see…how many of you are holding papers that say your love language is words of affirmation?” I looked around to see a smattering of hands in the air.
“How many of you scored highest for acts of service?” About one-third of the female hands went up.
“And what about quality time?” The remaining female hands shot up in the air.
“Gentlemen…be honest, how many of you scored highest for physical touch?” Snickers, snorts and chuckles echoed throughout the banquet room as EVERY SINGLE male hand went high in the air.
“And lastly,” he said almost in passing, “Do we have anyone out there who’s love language is receiving gifts? I usually don’t see many of those….”
Approximately 100 heads turned, all staring at me. “Well, this is embarrassing,” I thought as I realized I was the only one in the room with a hand in the air
But it was true. I LOVE receiving gifts, I always have. When we were first married, my husband would come home once a week with a People magazine and a Diet Pepsi and I thought I was in heaven. I would squeal like a teenager when I saw him get out of his Jeep, it was that exciting! When I was little, I used to wake up super early on Christmas morning, check out what Santa had left for everyone and then go back to bed until my sister woke me up. Even now, I get increasingly eager when my mom visits and opens her carry-on bag that I know contains a “Grandma gift” for everyone.
Fast forward to this past January and I’m sitting at my beloved Aunt Jill’s funeral. Squeezed in the pew between my mom and my sister, I was numb. I couldn’t focus and I just wanted to run up the aisle with the box of cheap tissues the church had supplied and go home; forget this ever happened. How am I supposed to live in a world without Jill? And then I heard the priest say, “Faith is a gift from God. It is our duty to accept it.”
What did he just say?
I have replayed those words in my head every day since then. Why had I never thought of my faith in these terms? And OH MY GOSH, by not appreciating my faith as a gift, have I ever fully accepted it? Up until that moment, I don’t think I had. Through the devastating sadness of losing my aunt, I am so thankful I was allowed to see my faith in this light.
What about you? Do you see your faith as a gift? Faith in God, in Jesus’ good works, in our baptism, in everlasting life… All of it! What a precious package, wrapped up just for us, waiting to be accepted. You don’t have to wait until your birthday or Mother’s Day or until next Christmas. Open it now! And if you need help unwrapping it, just ask. As my husband will tell you, I happen to be very good at these kinds of things.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9
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Amy is an Army wife of 18 years and mom of two children ages 14 and 10. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from the University of Illinois and is active in her church parish council, the Lewis Community Spouses Club, as well as hosts a quarterly book club for tweens on JBLM. She is an avid reader and blogs regularly with her sisters about all things books at www.thefamilyaddiction.blogspot.com. You can follow her on Twitter @amylynnt0825
Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley.
