I wanted to write about change, so as any good researcher would do, I did an internet search for thoughtful quotations about change and found a dictionary definition to boot.
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” ― Leo Tolstoy
“No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” ― Madonna (the rock star, not the one in the Bible)
“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” ― Mary Shelley
Redemption: an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed; deliverance, or rescue; deliverance from sin, or salvation, atonement for guilt.
Can a person really change?
Compared to three years ago, I am a completely different wife than I used to be. While this manifests most clearly in our sex life, it shows up in other ways as well. I work at being more respectful of my husband. I try to listen to him rather than react. I put surprise M&M’s in his lunchbox today. I no longer wear underwear to bed under my nightgown (if I’m even wearing one). Okay, that one kind of is about our sex life.
I act different. I feel different. I have held up a mirror–and sometimes invited others to do so–and have been honest with what I’ve seen. As I’ve discovered ugly things in myself, I’ve worked to cleanse myself of them. My heart is in the process of being forged and refined, at times very painfully but with a constant and growing sense of joy and rightness.
But I still feel like I’m the same person. People who are close to me recognize that I’m generally happier and that my marriage seems stronger than it’s ever been, but I don’t interact any differently than I ever have with people other than my husband.
So have I really changed? Or am I the same? My favorite of the change quotations above is the Madonna one (sorry, folks): “No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” That’s exactly how I feel, like I’ve become a better version of myself–still me, only better.
How can we know if someone’s heart has truly changed? Is there a sign of contrition we look for? Is there a minimum time after which we will believe change has occurred? If the behavioral changes began with self-serving motives, do we dismiss the possibility that the changes are real?
I know I’ve changed, but I recently read something that made me realize that there are some who may not be able believe that real heart change was possible since my changes had their roots in selfishness. At first, I was hurt to think that someone would actually not believe me. But then I felt so heart-heavy and sad. How badly has a person been hurt if he or she can’t believe in the possibility of redemption or hope?
My husband had his access to emotional and physical intimacy controlled by me for two decades. He has seen me change. I’ve atoned for my sin, in both thought and deed. My husband has forgiven me, and so has my God. Most of the time, I can even say I’ve forgiven myself.
I thank God that my husband did not think I was beyond redemption, and I mean that in the fullness of the definition, not just theologically. Then again, beyond redemption . . . once you do the work, move past the changes, atone for your mistakes, accept forgiveness, and forge a better version of yourself, . . . when you keep on going beyond redemption, there is deep and abiding joy.
Image credit | Christianpics.co
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I’ve recently read all of your posts in your blog, all of them very good. My experience has been similar – I haven’t come so far, but am working at it – though I’m not a wife but a husband… This post about change is really good. Thanks for it. It’s true – even after years of mistakes, God offers the opportunity to begin changing, for the best. What has been done cannot be undone, but one can always repent and walk in the road of sanctification. I’ve been married for 20 years, and regret all the wasted time – but things are changing for the better, and I can really say it’ s never been better – in spite of us having gained weight and other problems.
Thank you so much for posting, Joao. Although I have moments of regret for wasted time, I also believe that without those years, I wouldn’t fully appreciate where we are. The marriage we have now is the result of real work and commitment, not just the passage of time, which makes it is even sweeter.
Thank you for sharing this and for reaching out to help others who are living as resistant “gatekeepers.” I’m SO glad you had a wake up call and that your husband has given you grace after so many years of being denied.
We get so many frustrated husbands and also frustrated wives –whose spouses are also sexually resistant gatekeepers, which visit our web site. It will be good to be able to tell them that there are times when the other spouse wakes up, even after 20 years. There is hope. Thanks again for sharing… I/we know you will be blessed because of your honesty and openness. I heard it said once, “It’s not just what we live through that’s important, but what we LEARN THROUGH and SHARE with others.” Thanks for sharing. May you and your husband and your marriage be blessed!
Thank you. Five years ago, I’m pretty sure my husband wouldn’t have believed we’d be where we are. (I probably wouldn’t have, either.) We are both blessed.