I-I will be here-Steven Curtis Chapman

Over the years of listening to Chapman’s music, I wanted one song to be played at my wedding: I will be here. It was a dream come true when it was sang at my wedding. All the years of wanting someone to love and cherish for the rest of my life came to pass.

The song conveys faithfulness in marriage in the midst of trying and difficult circumstances.

“If in the dark we lose sight of love

Hold my hand, and have no fear

Cause I will be here

I will be here when you feel like being quiet

When you need to speak your mind,

I will listen and

I will be here when the laughter turns to cryin

Through the winning losing and trying cause I will be here.”

Before I began on this journey in writing about these songs, our marriage was in a rocky spot. I was depressed about my job, physically present, but not emotionally present with Jennifer. We had a conversation that was a rough one, but it let me know what I needed to do to be there for her.

Prior to marrying Jennifer, I had shared a few of the devotionals I had written for my church’s young adults group. It was hard and difficult-because a huge part of my heart was written in those devotionals. But it brought us closer to each other as we fell in love with each other.

As I started to begin on this journey in writing about these songs, the dynamic changed in our relationship. I started seeking to be not just physically present, but emotionally present. I tried to live out the truths in the songs that have impacted me, in ways I hadn’t previously.

As a result, we have gotten closer to each other and most importantly, God. I am in a sweet spot in life as I have I gotten back to what makes me passionate in life--writing and inspiring people to go after Jesus. It doesn’t mean life is always rosy and sunny, but pursuing my passion has made us fall deeper in love with each other again.

How can you be there for your spouse? Maybe it begins with being emotionally present and returning to your passion. Perhaps it is making the time to that difficult and hard conversation and help them discover their passion and joy again .

Whatever you need to do, be intentionally there for them, helping them grow close to Jesus and your marriage be on the solid rock of Christ.

If you are not married, be a faithful friend that people can rely on in the good and the bad of life.Regardless of if you get married, it will set you on a solid foundation of being the hands and feet of Jesus to the people in your life.

For many of us it is easy to to talk about being the hands of Jesus to the world, than being his hands and feet in the middle of every day life.

I urge you to be faithful to those who need your loving and caring presence in your life.

If we can’t point our family to Jesus with our life, how can we expect to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world?

Take some time today to ponder this question. However, in your pondering, make time to be there for the people in your life.