I wonder how much more we would love and respect our spouses if we all spent a day in their world? Or anyone close to us for that matter. For example, I wonder how much more children would care for their mothers if they spent their days doing laundry, wiping boogers off antiques, and cooking meals only to hear, ” I ‘am not hungry mom, I stopped and McDonalds after school”…
No, wait this is NOT about me, sorry…
Anyway, I married my husband Gary Black many years ago because I saw his heart, and I saw his anointing and who he was in the spirit. Important fact here; Gary and I were together for years before I ever saw him preach, so it was not a huge stage that attracted me. He was in a very low place when we met having lost everything dear to him the year before, so it was not a “rock-star” status that drew me to him. I saw his heart towards his own children, and his passion for the next generation, I saw authority when he spoke….and I vowed to serve him the rest of my life. There have been times when I have resented his call…it comes with a cost after all. There are times when I have not defended him like I should to people who have judged him, because our life looks different, and most people just don’t get it. There have been times when I have not covered him in prayer like I should, because I have lost sight of who he is and what he needs from his wife.
I am thankful for the last week with him in Manila, once again, watching him give his life away, for the call, for the next generation. He preached his guts out, he cried with the wounded, he slapped the boys and insisted they be real Men, and held little girls while they cried in his chest.
Not everyone may get my man, not everyone may respect him or how he lives, but his wife stands in awe….Visiting him in his “office” reminds me of what his “job” requires,
It would probably do all of our marriages good to spend a day in our spouses shoes, our respect, compassion and love for them would likely grow….
I wonder if Gary will wipe boogers off my antiques tomorrow???
thanks again lisa for showing us with your life what it means to be a woman of God and a true wife to a man of God.
…i love how crazy He made both of you!
Lisa…this is so beautiful. I totally “get” your man, respect him, and respect and love your family and how you have chosen to live it. Traveling around Russia for 2 weeks with Gary and Caleb and the other guys are some of my favorite memories. It didn’t take very long into that trip to realize that I was in the presence of some amazing men. I am so thankful to have gained a new brother in Gary during that trip! And I remember that I couldn’t WAIT to meet you and the rest of the family!! I only wish I could live my life in closer proximity to yours! Sister…you Rock!!
Baby, it would be an honor to wipe those boogers, thank you…
I’ll hold you to that, Black!
what can i say? i love daddy black, and i love you momma black!! i love the annointing God has put over your lives!
Oh Lisa…
I saw how you guys blessed MY man with your time there! I can always tell when he’s been around inspiring men and women of God 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. It’s been hard to be separated from Rusty for so long- we realized a while back that he’s never seen me sing, and I’ve never seen him preach…two of our greatest passions and greatest gifts! We’re sad about it now and both looking forward to that someday soon. Thanks for making me excited about it all over again!
I continue to learn so much from you – even long distance. I was thinking about you today as I was in my third dinner/lunch/dinner get together with my third girl who needed to talk – praying that someday I’ll be a woman who impacts and inspires young women as you do. LOVE YOU!!!
Miss you mama!
Your gentle spirit and strength as of woman of God is missed. Doing our best to model your example. We love you! PS I would love to come and cook with you in the springs when this is all over 😉
I love you, mama black! Thanks for being real. I was just thinking about you today!
you indeed have a crazy calling on your life, and I thank God everyday that you have surrendered to it. My life will be different, is different, from knowing you both. Much love.
I love reading all your blogs…They are so inspiring to me…
I get so much out of each one…(some make me laugh so joyfully, others, I can’t stop crying) You and your family is such a blessing to so many and to us…Just the small time you and Gary were here, you touched different parts of my heart, that I didn’t even know was there. And I know you two did the same to others! Wow, I just love you two and hope we will get to see you soon!
Amanda
It’s a good reminder in the thick of marriage to quit looking at myself and to look and my husband’s life… to walk in his shoes. Not to simply look at all that I have to do, but to appreciate all that he does. Thanks for the reminder Mama Lisa…
You make me truly desire to love jimmy more and better! God truly blessed us both with amazing husbands!! Thanks for reminding me of that!!! I love you!
reading all these comments makes me realize just how many daughters and sons you have between all of us. In case you don’t hear it a lot, thank you. Really. We love you guys lots. Thanks for giving this generation your love and lives. Blessings mama black!
yep, we sure are blessed to have both of you caring for us so well! thanks for answering the call! can’t wait to see you in HK!
Thank you for who you are in our lives. Thank you for last night. We love you and you are our family!!!!
Such a good wordthank you! And of course it was so great to share the week with the two of you. Love you both!
it’s true! lives have been and are continuing to be touch by the obedience of your family… and being just that, family, to us all. thank you and thank you for the example and inspiration you are. everything about you radiates the beauty of Christ!