Yesterday we were invited to the celebration of new love at a sweet engagement party. Then, we had the honor of celebrating seasoned love at a beautiful 50th anniversary party. These events helped my husband and I recall our own early days with fondness and we were inspired to look at the years ahead with hope.
Presently we find ourselves almost in the middle of this spectrum as we approach our 19th anniversary tomorrow. We openly share with the couples we work with that our ideals of love faded fairly quickly as my husband had to adjust to a pretty pink bathroom and I had to adjust to watching movies at a volume with decibels so high that I didn’t know existed. But God taught us how to work through those adjustments with grace.
Then, came the big decisions such as starting a family, budgeting, how to discipline our children … to name a few. What seemed like the next logical steps in life became tumultuous as we had differing opinions. I wanted to start a family as soon as possible while he wanted to wait. I wanted to save while he wanted to spend. I wanted to have meaningful conversations with our children about their mistakes while he wanted to give a glaring look and tell them not to do it again. But God taught us how to work through those decisions by improving our communication.
While dealing with adjustments and decisions, there were the times we felt blindsided and disappointed. We each responded differently to difficult news and we certainly didn’t know how to respond to each other. But God taught us how to work through those moments as we looked to Him for help and understanding.
In between all those moments, there have been many good times. Our hearts couldn’t feel fuller with the memories created, especially from celebrations and vacations. God taught us how to enjoy each one with gratitude.
Marriage is hard work, but it is a labor of love which is best explained in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP): “Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].”
Whichever season of marriage you find yourselves in today, be encouraged that there is a reward for your investment in this sacred covenant. Trust God, be willing to work on yourself, and pray for yourself and your spouse. May each passing year find you deeper in love with your spouse. I know I do and I am grateful :)
~Joyce
