So now that you know how this crazy relationship got started, we can take a look at how things are going now! Today we want to share just a few things that we have both learned along the way. While it has been a lot of fun, we have each had our moments of growth.
Sydney: Oh gosh… Where do I begin? I have learned so much while being in a relationship with Zach! Not only have I learned a lot, I have also grown quite a bit.
Towards the beginning of our relationship, I had a pretty good case of social anxiety. I would get so nervous and sick to my stomach when it came to meeting new people, public speaking, and most other social situations. Zach’s encouragement has helped me more than I could ever imagine! I am now so much more comfortable in social situations and really enjoy meeting new people and making new friends!
On a more serious note, I have learned that love is a choice. There are days and will be days in the future when Zach and I argue and get on each other's nerves, but in those moments we still love each other because we choose to! No matter how perfect you think your significant other is, there will be bad days. Just because God put you two together doesn't mean that everything is going to be all sunshine and dandelions. However, with each negative, there are so many positives to go along with it! I'm actually very thankful for the lows that Zach and I have and will experience. They make us rely on God, we end up growing in our faith, and our relationship is made stronger through Christ!
The main thing I've learned is that, in order for a relationship to work, you and your significant other HAVE to put God first. I have been in a few relationships where I had to beg for them to come to church with me and I would try to fix them. I would pretend that they had a relationship with God to try to make things work, but they never did. It was so awesome knowing that Zach had an intimate relationship with the Lord from the beginning. It may not always be perfect, but he strives to know Him. The same goes for me. Picture a triangle… The bottom two corners represent you and your guy/girl and the top represents God. Imagine that neither of you are moving towards the top (God), so you are far apart. Now imagine if one of you moves up towards God, but the other doesn't. You would still be far apart. However, if you are both moving to God, then it brings you closer as well. You, your significant other, and God become one, which is how it should be! If you put God first, He will bless you!
Zachary: Just like Sydney, I have a hard time deciding where I want to kick this thing off. This has been such an awesome relationship, and I have already learned so much. There are, however, two particular lessons that really stand out to me.
Sydney and I are extremely comfortable with each other. So much so that even I have to admit it is kind of weird! It has been a great thing, and it is something I have never experienced before so for me it is a sign that we are meant to be. Unfortunately, this level of comfort can also bring along some cons. For me, it has at times caused me to become lackadaisical both in my spiritual walk and in loving Sydney.
As you read before, I had prayed for Sydney before we had even started dating. At the time I was at a “spiritual high point” in my life. It didn’t matter what the day, or time, or situation, I was giving all of my worries and cares to God. It was awesome. Then, when I finally received that blessing that I had so often prayed for, I allowed myself to become lazy. Instead of pushing myself to continue to seek God, and even leading Sydney to do the same, I got to a place where I thought I could take control. Boy, was I wrong.
From that slip in my spiritual walk with Jesus came the slip in my ability to show Sydney how much I really love her. In my mind, we had reached the mountaintop, so I began to believe that there was nothing more that we needed to work for. I had forgotten that both my relationship with God and with Sydney were a continual process, and I wasn’t taking time to learn about either of them. I learned that when you reach this point you are basically allowing Satan to come in and wreak havoc. Unfortunately, it did come to a point where God called us to break up for a week in order for me to come back to my senses and realize just how much I needed God’s grace and protection. So, while it is extremely cool that Sydney and I are so comfortable with each other, I have learned that I must also be very cautious.
Now, for a more positive lesson I have learned. I think it would be best to end my section on a good note.
Growing up, I have been raised in church and I have always heard about God’s amazing grace and how forgiving He is. I would act like I knew exactly what it meant, but in reality this truth never really sunk in for me until I had begun dating Sydney. This is something that has changed my life forever, and formed a clearer image of God.
Sydney and I could be disagreeing about something, or I may have monumentally screwed up (this is more likely the case), and Sydney will almost instantly forgive me. What’s more, she will automatically begin checking on me, making sure everything is all right, and will never bring up the instance again. I know, I know, I am the luckiest man alive. Seeing the way Sydney can so simply forgive me has opened my eyes to how much greater the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father is! He has so much more against us, and would be just in punishing us. However, He chooses to forgive and continue to love even when we don’t even come close to deserving it.
God has taught me through my relationship with Sydney how much He really values all of His children. I will forever be thankful for Sydney’s choosing to live like Christ and give me such an awesome picture of God’s love.
We would love to say that everything has gone perfect and as planned. In reality, we are both human, we make mistakes, and we have had to make some adjustments. God has remained faithful and has taught us valuable lessons! We hope you will take from our experiences and make the necessary adjustments in your own lives so you can glorify God in all the things you do. If you have any thoughts, or would like to share some of your story, just write to us in the comment section!
Have an amazing day! May God bless!
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17
Towards the beginning of our relationship, I had a pretty good case of social anxiety. I would get so nervous and sick to my stomach when it came to meeting new people, public speaking, and most other social situations. Zach’s encouragement has helped me more than I could ever imagine! I am now so much more comfortable in social situations and really enjoy meeting new people and making new friends!
On a more serious note, I have learned that love is a choice. There are days and will be days in the future when Zach and I argue and get on each other's nerves, but in those moments we still love each other because we choose to! No matter how perfect you think your significant other is, there will be bad days. Just because God put you two together doesn't mean that everything is going to be all sunshine and dandelions. However, with each negative, there are so many positives to go along with it! I'm actually very thankful for the lows that Zach and I have and will experience. They make us rely on God, we end up growing in our faith, and our relationship is made stronger through Christ!
The main thing I've learned is that, in order for a relationship to work, you and your significant other HAVE to put God first. I have been in a few relationships where I had to beg for them to come to church with me and I would try to fix them. I would pretend that they had a relationship with God to try to make things work, but they never did. It was so awesome knowing that Zach had an intimate relationship with the Lord from the beginning. It may not always be perfect, but he strives to know Him. The same goes for me. Picture a triangle… The bottom two corners represent you and your guy/girl and the top represents God. Imagine that neither of you are moving towards the top (God), so you are far apart. Now imagine if one of you moves up towards God, but the other doesn't. You would still be far apart. However, if you are both moving to God, then it brings you closer as well. You, your significant other, and God become one, which is how it should be! If you put God first, He will bless you!
Zachary: Just like Sydney, I have a hard time deciding where I want to kick this thing off. This has been such an awesome relationship, and I have already learned so much. There are, however, two particular lessons that really stand out to me.
Sydney and I are extremely comfortable with each other. So much so that even I have to admit it is kind of weird! It has been a great thing, and it is something I have never experienced before so for me it is a sign that we are meant to be. Unfortunately, this level of comfort can also bring along some cons. For me, it has at times caused me to become lackadaisical both in my spiritual walk and in loving Sydney.
As you read before, I had prayed for Sydney before we had even started dating. At the time I was at a “spiritual high point” in my life. It didn’t matter what the day, or time, or situation, I was giving all of my worries and cares to God. It was awesome. Then, when I finally received that blessing that I had so often prayed for, I allowed myself to become lazy. Instead of pushing myself to continue to seek God, and even leading Sydney to do the same, I got to a place where I thought I could take control. Boy, was I wrong.
From that slip in my spiritual walk with Jesus came the slip in my ability to show Sydney how much I really love her. In my mind, we had reached the mountaintop, so I began to believe that there was nothing more that we needed to work for. I had forgotten that both my relationship with God and with Sydney were a continual process, and I wasn’t taking time to learn about either of them. I learned that when you reach this point you are basically allowing Satan to come in and wreak havoc. Unfortunately, it did come to a point where God called us to break up for a week in order for me to come back to my senses and realize just how much I needed God’s grace and protection. So, while it is extremely cool that Sydney and I are so comfortable with each other, I have learned that I must also be very cautious.
Now, for a more positive lesson I have learned. I think it would be best to end my section on a good note.
Growing up, I have been raised in church and I have always heard about God’s amazing grace and how forgiving He is. I would act like I knew exactly what it meant, but in reality this truth never really sunk in for me until I had begun dating Sydney. This is something that has changed my life forever, and formed a clearer image of God.
Sydney and I could be disagreeing about something, or I may have monumentally screwed up (this is more likely the case), and Sydney will almost instantly forgive me. What’s more, she will automatically begin checking on me, making sure everything is all right, and will never bring up the instance again. I know, I know, I am the luckiest man alive. Seeing the way Sydney can so simply forgive me has opened my eyes to how much greater the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father is! He has so much more against us, and would be just in punishing us. However, He chooses to forgive and continue to love even when we don’t even come close to deserving it.
God has taught me through my relationship with Sydney how much He really values all of His children. I will forever be thankful for Sydney’s choosing to live like Christ and give me such an awesome picture of God’s love.
We would love to say that everything has gone perfect and as planned. In reality, we are both human, we make mistakes, and we have had to make some adjustments. God has remained faithful and has taught us valuable lessons! We hope you will take from our experiences and make the necessary adjustments in your own lives so you can glorify God in all the things you do. If you have any thoughts, or would like to share some of your story, just write to us in the comment section!
Have an amazing day! May God bless!
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17