I was not the person I am today before my husband Ryan came into my life. I cared a lot more about myself than I did for other people. Even though I knew who God was and believed He was, I didn’t have a strong personal relationship with Him.  Prior to meeting Ryan, I thought I was a Christian, but in hindsight I was lukewarm. 

Unbeknownst to me, this man I had just met was living proof of Jesus Christ. I can’t talk about Ryan and all my love for him without telling others what a big part of my testimony he is. I met a man who I saw Christ in. He was kind but stern in showing me how I had lived.

Then he became a person who, to this day, I aspire to be. Anyone who knows Ryan knows he doesn’t say much. However when he does use his words they are powerful, and those around him lean into the soft-spoken but mighty words. It’s the same way in our life, in the sense that when he has something serious to say I listen carefully and hang onto every word of wisdom and truth.

If I ever doubted God’s existence, those thoughts all vanished as I saw the shimmer in his kind hazel eyes when he told me his testimony, his truth. The biggest realization I’ve had is that all the good and wonderful parts I love about Ryan are Jesus. I saw this when considering 1 Corinthians 13:3-7. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)

For the first time, I could clearly understand why many couples use this passage at weddings. This verse talks about love, and Jesus is love. Humans will never measure up to the glory and love that is Christ. Yet, we all should strive to be more like Christ. Ryan chose to live his life that way, in turn writing these words in his heart.

Ryan is patient, Ryan is kind. Ryan does not envy, Ryan does not boast, Ryan is not proud. Ryan does not dishonor others, Ryan is not self-seeking, Ryan is not easily angered. Ryan keeps no record of wrongs. Ryan does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. Ryan always protects, Ryan always trusts, Ryan always hopes, Ryan always preserves. 

Of course, Ryan falls short. Ryan will never fully be all of these things at one time, and never to the degree that Christ is. However, when I read these words, I not only see Christ, but I also see Ryan. This is because Ryan walks in truth daily. I never knew how much loving a person with a steady heart, would calm mine as well. 

Jesus lives in the man I love. Jesus uses Ryan for His good, and His light shines over the darkest parts of my soul. Being married to Ryan makes me even more excited for the day I’ll come face to face with Jesus.

Isn’t it great how we can see a small, tiny emulation of God’s love for us through those that He places in our lives?