Forty Years & Counting...

Today, I am still married to my best friend! We chose each other then and we choose each other today. Now let me say, marriage is like life, it has its ups, and it has its downs. However, a price tag can never be put on the satisfaction, security, and warmth that a long-standing marriage can bring.

Marriage is hard work...

Just because my husband and I said, “I Do”, forty years ago, did not mean that we were going to live happily ever after. We had a choice to make right from the get- go. Were we going to sit back and let whatever will be, will be, or were we going to work this thing? I am so thankful today that we decided to work our marriage.

A couple of simple ways we worked our marriage...

1 - Kindness – Ephesians 4:32 - ...be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. It can be very easy to take one another for granted but that, long-term, can lead to disaster. Being kind & tender towards each other, not only feels good to do, but makes the person I married feel valued and special. This goes for when I may be tired or not in the best of moods, it is still very important for the long run. Kindness can be as simple as making your spouse a cup of tea/coffee at the end of a long day.

2 - Speaking Good Words – Proverbs 18:21- “The tongue can bring death or life...” Very little can be as damaging as speaking harshly, words that are demeaning, or name-calling. My words can create hope in the life of my spouse or can bring despair. When you truly love your spouse, you work hard to make them feel peaceful, successful...I feel content knowing that my husband is content, happy and doing well. The words I speak play a very significant role in that.

I celebrate...

So today I celebrate, today I reminisce. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat with the very same, precious man. I give God thanks for him and for our marriage. To say my marriage has been a tremendous blessing to me and a gift from God, is certainly an understatement! Yes, forty years and counting!