As much as we do try and keep up with the latest blogging times, having a baby definitely changes things…mainly your schedule. Needless to say, our New Year’s post is a bit later than we would have liked, but the reason is worthy, and we appreciate your grace.
The beginning
This time last year Ryan and I were packed like sardines in the streets of London celebrating, with our family, the arrival of 2013. We had been praying and talking for the few months leading up to the launch of Fierce Marriage what to write, how to write, and how to maintain Jesus as the cornerstone. Needless to say, we set out with a few hopes in mind and a God-given assignment, and it’s almost unbelievable how far FM has come in the past year.
Praise God!
More than a checklist
Heading into the beginning stages of FM, we had our fingers crossed for a few things:
- That we’d hit 1,000 Facebook Likes by the end of 2013.
- Someone we didn’t know might read our posts and walk away with tip to help their marriage.
- And finally, we hoped to start the framework for a book that God’s placed on our hearts to write.
Did I mention we were trying to get pregnant too?
Why Fierce Marriage?
One of the main questions we are asked is, “Why did you start FM?” Well, here’s a bit about the name, for starters.
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Bottom line, the enemy is waging war on marriages causing children and generations to suffer. With two-parent homes being the minority these days…it seems like he’s winning the fight. We knew this was not God’s plan for humanity and it was time to rise up.
As Christians, we know that God’s design for marriage is not flawed and it’s not even about us! Marriage illustrates the relationship between Christ and the church (body of believers).
It’s all about Jesus
More often than not, marriage is misunderstood in today’s society. Despite popular opinion, marriage is not merely a vehicle for happiness. It’s all about Jesus, God’s love for us, and His gift of salvation to us.
How can we know and understand God’s purpose for marriage without first knowing Christ? As you read through more posts on our blog (hint hint), you may start to notice a theme: each post points straight back to Jesus.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) – especially in marriage. By knowing and understanding Jesus and his love for each of us, we are better able to understand marriage and how to love our spouses and ultimately bring honor and glory back to God.
Fierce Marriage always has been and will continue to be about Jesus.
Moving forward
The beginning of 2014 celebrates one full year of Fierce Marriage. Ryan and I are so thankful and humbled to see God working daily in our lives and this community. It’s gone far beyond anything we could have hoped for.
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As it turns out, those goals were entirely too small. God has continued to grow this community beyond our (apparently lame) expectations. With social reach of over 50,000 folks and nearly 500K page views to date, we’re a bit baffled. Those are just the trackable numbers… what’s even more amazing is the things we can’t quantify, like encouraged spouses and healthier marriages (including our own!). Honestly, we had little to do with it.
Also, we now have a beautiful baby girl! (Adelaide Grace Rae Frederick, born Dec 1, 2013)
God is good, and that’s the only explanation I’ve got. To God be all the glory and praise!
Obedience isn’t easy
It’s out of obedience and ultimately God’s amazing grace that has allowed FM to be the community that it is today. This community is absolutely, without a doubt, a God-given and God-breathed assignment.
Is it easy? Nope, especially now with a new infant. But when are God-assignments ever easy?
Is it worth it? Totally, and we would do it over again in a heartbeat.
The community that IS Fierce Marriage has not only blessed Ryan and I, but we have seen many of you blessed as well. Watching our readers minister to each other in their times of need through Facebook comments is truly a beautiful thing.
Our work is far from finished.
Our lives and marriage are not perfect, leaving plenty of room for God to work in us and through us. We love watching Him work and are consider ourselves blessed to be a part of it.
Last year was great, and this year is bound to be remarkable – not because of any masterminded schemes or plans on our part – but because of who God is and how faithful He is. Our prayer is that by God’s grace we can continue to minister powerfully by simply sharing our brokenness as he shapes and changes Ryan and I.
2 Corinthians 4:7-12 comes to mind:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”
With that said, we’d like to wish you all a (belated) Happy New Year! Cheers to many more years of fighting fiercely for marriages in the name of Christ.
Much love and stay fierce,
Ryan, Selena & Adelaide Grace
[Photo: Jeff Marsh Creative]
Have you heard of the The 31-Day Pursuit Challenge?
Every marriage begins with passion, purpose, and pursuit, but few stay that way. That’s why we wrote Husband in Pursuit and Wife in Pursuit Together, they make what we’re calling the 31-Day Pursuit Challenge. Couples are encouraged take the challenge together. We’re already starting to hear stories of transformed marriages! Are you up for the challenge?
