Ahh, the sweet smell of success!

That’s what we want when we’ve prepared for something, right?

It has cost you

You’ve got this one in the bag

It’s as good as gold

Heck yaasss!

But, seeing as we’re friends

I’m gonna ask you a question…

…Ready?

Here we go

What is your idea of success?

I mean, honestly

What does YOUR idea of success really look like?

Is it having plenty of money?

A fancy car?

Or, maybe something else…

My husband and I have just celebrated 23 years of marriage

Yep. Twenty. Three. Years.

We waved goodbye to our kids (don’t worry, they’re old enough to look after themselves)

And drove to a quite retreat for a couple of days

To refresh, relax and recuperate

We stayed in a place which is known for its gold mines

During the 1800’s people blasted and dug their way through rock, trying to find gold

Hoping for success and riches

I brought a rock home from one of the dis-used mines

There was no gold in it

Shame

But that’s okay because

As I pondered over the gold rush years

I thought about what success looks like to me

And I remembered preparing for our wedding day, all those years ago

I didn’t just buy any old dress, put it on and say, “Well honey, it’s all they had in the shop.”

I prepared for my groom

Because he is important to me

It cost me something

Isaiah 61:10 is a beautiful reminder of true success

‘I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise for deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness. As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jewelled tiara.’ (The Message Bible)

A real relationship with Jesus?

Two great kids?

And 23 years of marriage in the bag?

That my friends, is my idea of success

And it’s as good as gold to me!

 

Wendy xo