never once

standing on this mountaintop
looking just how far we've come
knowing that for every step
You were with us

Today, as I stand on this "mountaintop" of our 8th anniversary, it's hard to recognize those tiny people in the distance.  You know the ones- those two kids who were busy falling in love and saying "I do."  We have come so very far from the people that we were.  I can't look back on the 8 years without seeing the faithfulness of our God.

kneeling on this battleground
seeing just how much You've done
knowing every victory
was Your power in us

8 years ago, I had no idea just how much of a battleground a marriage is.  And I don't mean a battleground between us (that's not to say we haven't had our battles... we've had more than our fair share of those!) but a spiritual battle.  We have fought harder for our marriage than I ever knew to expect.  Today, I kneel on this sacred battleground with a gratefulness for the victory He has given to us.  I promise to continue to fight, trusting His power to afford us more victory than defeat.

scars and struggles on the way
but with joy our hearts can say...

I know our story is far from written, the ending is far from sight.  And someday, 10, 20, 50 years from now I will look back on this time in our life from a different mountaintop.  I will smile, my heart full of joy, because one thing will remain true, one thing will be the same- the faithfulness of our God.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing.... apart from Him, our marriage has no hope for survival.  By His grace, we will not be consumed or overcome... His mercies are new every morning... Great is HIS faithfulness.

never once, 
did we ever walk alone
never once,
did You leave us on our own
You are faithful,
God, You are faithful
--never once, matt redman