Habakkuk 3:17-18

A few months before our wedding, Craig called to tell me he had found the verse for our wedding ceremony. I waited excitedly to hear a verse about love, marriage, husbands and wives. Then he read the following to me:

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Well, what do you think?” he said.

I paused and waited for him to say it’s a joke. Does he really think I want the words “stalls” and “herd” in my wedding ceremony? Where’s the love, the beautiful marriage advice? Then my wise-beyond-his-years man tells me that although these aren’t traditional wedding verses, this is the theme he wants for our marriage: Through all things, good and bad, we have faith in a God who is perfect, all knowing and powerful. He is what gives us strength and brings peace even in the darkest times.

So on our wedding day, I stood next to the love of my life, my best friend and sang “You give and take away. My heart will choose to say. Lord, blessed be Your Name.” Then heard our marriage verses read over us. That day, hearing those words was easy. That day, God filled the desire of my heart to be Mrs. Craig Northcutt. That day, was full of joy, happiness and love. It was easy to say that I had hope and trust in the Lord that day.

Over the last 7 months, we have tried multiple medical treatments to conceive a baby, all of which have been unsuccessful. Each time, one of our attempts failed, these are the verses that are pushed to the front of my mind. These words are harder to say now when there is hurt and disappointment. These words are sometimes said through tears and in a quivering voice. But the truth of these words is still real and these verses carry more meaning for me now than they ever did on my wedding day. My joy is not defined by what I have or don't have. My joy is knowing that the God who created the earth and everything in it, calls me His child and has rescued me from my sin. One day, He will end all hurt and tears and take me home.

This weekend, our church will start studying the book of Habakkuk. I am excited to hear what the Lord has for us through this book and how His Word will continue to challenge and grow my faith.