Open Letter Series- To Jon (from Kristin)

​Open Letter Series

In the 2 ½ years since we’ve been married we have had some ups and downs.  7 years now since you came back into my life. You have had moments where you have had to decide what our life was going to look like: would we be the average joe married couple, or were we going to be entirely sold out for the name of Jesus. I know the choice sounds easy, but I know it has been anything but. I have watched you consciously put your wants, desires and needs to death for the sake of the gospel, but also for my sake. I have seen you choose to be patient, forgiving, loving and sweet when I have deserved the opposite. Instead of trying to make me the wife you deserved, you chose to love me exactly where I was and prayed to be the husband I needed, a husband who lived and loved like Jesus. You became my example of how to be a spouse, and you encourage me in seeking the Lord. Given where we could have ended up I don’t think I could ever thank you enough for stepping up to be a Godly leader in our house.

It is the steady and consistent leadership and love for God that makes me have no fear in following you wherever God calls. It is such a freeing thing to be able to confidently follow your leadership in our home. However, it was learning to trust in the Lord’s leading that was the most freeing. You are a wonderful husband. You are easy to submit to and love. But the amazing thing is that even if you weren’t I could still have confidence in submitting to you, because we serve a God who cares for us and blesses obedience to His Word. It took me so long to realize that I was only responsible for how I submit to you instead of for the decisions you make. I have seen you freed up to make choices as the Lord leads, because I am no longer trying to control those decisions. Your example of submission to God has given me the ability to freely submit to you as we seek His will together. 

You and I are so very different in many ways, and so similar in others.You are my best friend, my encourager, my favorite person. If I had to pick anyone to move across the world with, away from everything I am prepared for and comfortable with, I’d pick you every time. I know that you will show every soul we encounter the love of Jesus. You will bring love to the sweet kids who have never seen what love really is. You will be hot, dirty, miserable and I know that you will continue to praise Jesus even when it gets unbelievably hard. You’ll stand for what’s right, and share the gospel no matter the cost. I always joked with Maggie, before you showed up, that I needed to find my Jim Elliot. Then the Lord brought you into my life and it was infinitely better than I had imagined. We don’t fit like a puzzle piece (how boring that would be!). But you are my compliment, and the most perfect fit for me to walk in ministry with. 

All of this to say, I’m so excited to see what God has in store for us. I am thankful that you are a Godly man who leads with integrity. I love you more than I ever thought possible. And I am so thankful God brought us together. As we walk in to this new, unknown chapter I am so excited to be by your side and to let God use us however He desires.

I love you