To all here<P>I felt compelled to post here. Over several days I have read the Boundaries thread and just finished this afternoon. I have to say that when I was first introduced to it I was intimidated. (world record post it seems) As I began to read, I was touched in such a way by the depth and completeness of the love of God working through the posters there. I just had to let each of you know that God has used each of you in a powerful way to minister to my heart and the hearts of many others I am sure. The blind honesty and openness that you relate your own stories with is an invitation to be honest and open with myself and I thank you for that. The care and devotion that you each display for not only your spouse and God, but for yourself as well, is truly an inspiration and conviction upon my own spirit from God. As believers in God and Christ we so often become disappointed with ourselves because we tend to compare ourselves to the ultimate standard. We become frustrated at ourselves and feel as though we have not been "good Christians". And in truth we will only be learning Christians. But when a crown of victory has been achieved, take hold of that. That is the ultimate reward. To share the love of Christ in the life of another and make a difference. <P>That's why I wanted each of you to know that a crown has been awarded to you by the good that you have completed in my soul. (not speaking for God here, but I know a blessing when I see it,) Take joy in the knowledge that your steadfastness through trial and your devotion to God and your constant pursuit of goodness and God's will has been rewarded with that love and peace and conviction having taken hold within the heart of another. God has truly used each of you and this forum as a vessel for good and a light amongst darkness. <P>Honestly, I was saddened when I had reached the end of the Boundaries thread. I didn't want it to end. It touched me in a special way. <P>God's work in our lives is so often a mystery to us. We try to understand it and force it and complete it on our own. Yet, we so often overlook or are just unaware of the gifts he lays at our feet. Please know that God is forever bringing forth the fruit of your faith and love in the lives of the ones that you touch in Christ. Thank you for touching my life. <P>For those that are not familiar with me. I am not a wife, but a husband. A husband who can relate in so many ways with what is going on here at this forum. <P>I would love to be a participant here to what extent I could. Yet, I would not want to make anyone uncomfortable or intrude.<P>Thank you for shining forth the light of the Lord through your words, your struggles, your pain and the lessons you have learned. Sometimes we must endure the pain so that not only ourselves, but another may gain from the lessons God wants to teach us in our lives.<P>

You are welcome brother! I find myself going back to that thread often myself and know that I must continue on with the rest of what the book covers, particularly with the chapter on the boundary resistant spouse. Knowing that God knew I would be here today, in this time, in this place, with this struggle, for His purpose, encourages me to trudge forward one more step. <P>Joni Erickson Tada once spoke about our tendency to stare at our problems and to glance at God and how we need to reverse that process to stare at God and to glance at our problems, for these things are fleeting in light of eternity.<P>I so desire to hear the words:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>MT 25:23 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Feel free to share your insight any time. May you experience His presence in a wonderful and new way today.