Forty-one Years Together!
Well, I missed posting my blog last week. It was Sharon and my forty-first wedding anniversary, so we went to the mountains for a couple of days. I know it sounds trite, but those years have literally flown by. It seems like yesterday, that we stood at the altar in Norview Baptist Church and pledged our life-long devotion to each other. Now I look back and see the hand of God as He has blessed me with a great wife, two fine children, and a wonderful daughter-in-law. (I suppose that I should also add: “And, Hannah, our faithful Pug!”) I am a blessed man for sure.
One of the benefits of enjoying a lengthy and rewarding marriage is that you come to a point where you can speak somewhat as an authority on what it takes to have a happy marriage. In my tenure as a pastor, I have counseled many who have been unhappy in their marriages, and I have seen more than a few marriages end quickly and with little or no love lost! At the same time, there have been the pleasant experiences of celebrating with senior couples who have enjoyed sixty, seventy, and more happy years together. What makes difference?
Well, from my vantage point, I must say that a good marriage is a lot of work! They don’t just happen. Like an athletic event, the goal of a successful marriage must be to win and never willingly accept a loss. Are there problems, struggles, and challenges? Of course! Marriage is “life”, and life is never a constant state of smooth sailing. Rough seas come but then without them, the result might be monotony. Every good marriage needs a challenge.
I have heard people say, “I’m not happy in my marriage.” Well, that’s not the voice of a champion. That’s the whine of a looser who is not having his or her expectations met. Great marriages do not come from getting but in giving. It’s not my expectations that are most important but fulfilling my purpose as a husband in meeting my wife’s needs. Of course, the reciprocal is also true. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you…” That’s the principle which fosters a rewarding relationship.
I need to add that Sharon is my best friend and has been since that evening we left the church in 1966. There is no one I had rather be with, and I am sure she would say the same about me. We are best friends because we have chosen to be. O, the feelings are there too, but the choice came first! Could we have spent more time apart and had our nights out with the boys or girls? Certainly! But, we chose to be together, and now that choice has proven to be an investment that has reaped untold rewards in satisfaction, fulfillment, and just plain liking each other!
Forty-one years is a long time, but it is not yet long enough! You see, I have read the inscription on the sundial, “Come grow old with me; the best is yet to be,” and that is the desire of my heart. The best is yet to come, and I think my Lord that in His sovereignty He has chosen to give me the best with whom to enjoy it.
Yes, I am a blessed man, and I pray that you will find that same blessing.
One of the benefits of enjoying a lengthy and rewarding marriage is that you come to a point where you can speak somewhat as an authority on what it takes to have a happy marriage. In my tenure as a pastor, I have counseled many who have been unhappy in their marriages, and I have seen more than a few marriages end quickly and with little or no love lost! At the same time, there have been the pleasant experiences of celebrating with senior couples who have enjoyed sixty, seventy, and more happy years together. What makes difference?
Well, from my vantage point, I must say that a good marriage is a lot of work! They don’t just happen. Like an athletic event, the goal of a successful marriage must be to win and never willingly accept a loss. Are there problems, struggles, and challenges? Of course! Marriage is “life”, and life is never a constant state of smooth sailing. Rough seas come but then without them, the result might be monotony. Every good marriage needs a challenge.
I have heard people say, “I’m not happy in my marriage.” Well, that’s not the voice of a champion. That’s the whine of a looser who is not having his or her expectations met. Great marriages do not come from getting but in giving. It’s not my expectations that are most important but fulfilling my purpose as a husband in meeting my wife’s needs. Of course, the reciprocal is also true. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you…” That’s the principle which fosters a rewarding relationship.
I need to add that Sharon is my best friend and has been since that evening we left the church in 1966. There is no one I had rather be with, and I am sure she would say the same about me. We are best friends because we have chosen to be. O, the feelings are there too, but the choice came first! Could we have spent more time apart and had our nights out with the boys or girls? Certainly! But, we chose to be together, and now that choice has proven to be an investment that has reaped untold rewards in satisfaction, fulfillment, and just plain liking each other!
Forty-one years is a long time, but it is not yet long enough! You see, I have read the inscription on the sundial, “Come grow old with me; the best is yet to be,” and that is the desire of my heart. The best is yet to come, and I think my Lord that in His sovereignty He has chosen to give me the best with whom to enjoy it.
Yes, I am a blessed man, and I pray that you will find that same blessing.
1 Comments:
T im,
Jemma and I both share our heartfelt congratulations to you both as examples for those of us who are still learning about marriage. Marriage is a daily challenge for two people to love each other as God meant for us to do and at the same time discovering the best of God's gifts for us.
Best wishes for another 41 years...:-)
Blessings,
John & Jemma
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