Yesterday was my 10th wedding anniversary.
It’s hard to believe that I’m married for 10 years with 2 children, 2 cats, a newish car and a beautiful home.
At one point in my life I had absolutely nothing. Nothing emotionally, nothing monetarily, nothing spiritually, nothing relationally. I walked around like an empty shell, stuffing my feelings into the pit of my stomach, numbing my pain with drugs, food, men, music, fitness…
To be so healthy now, and to be so full of hope for the future is truly a gift to me. I never really thought about the future and here I am now dreaming of what the next 10 years will be like and what I’ll be saying about the last 20 years with my family then.
My husband and I have FOUGHT for our marriage, and I do believe that marriage is a battle. It can be other things, but I believe that we have to DECIDE to stay married, no matter the cost. We have to DECIDE to love one another, be kind to one another, to prefer one another. The world around us has made it very easy to opt out, the choice is always there, we decided to revoke that choice, that’s what we’ve done, till death do us part.There’s so much peace in knowing that no matter how hard it gets, we are going to make it through. No matter how heated the argument gets, or how mad we are at each other we will make it through.It seems like no matter what, everyday we need to remember how important our marriage is- not only to us- but to our children and even our extended family.
We have definitely not had an easy run over the last 10 years. Both of us coming from broken families- we didn’t expect it would be easy, and you know what… I imagine the next 10 years and 10 years after that will present their own challenges as well. But I have a richer life now than I ever have because of the blood sweat and tears poured over my marriage.
Marriage is definitely not for the faint of heart, but it is SO worth it.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
4 Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or 5 rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
6 Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
7 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
8 Love never fails!
I thank God that he has so richly blessed me with such an honorable and loving man.
My life will never be the same.
Happy Anniversary!
Brian and I call what you are talking about,
“The presence of no alternatiave.”
AS you said, the decision is already made.
Blessings,
Thora
Made me teary! Thanks for being willing to be so transparent and real about your life! You are truly a wonderful woman to have as a friend!
As a tear drips down my cheek, I reflect upon my life and my choices. I have learned that just as forgiveness is a choice, love is also a choice. Our family is so blessed that you and Kenny choose to love!
Erica – you have written what my husband truly believes. I, on the other hand, have trouble with faith in my marriage. My doubt certainly comes from evidence in the world combined with pain I see people whom I love go through combined with my own hurts in the past. To him, it would be unthinkable for our marriage not to last forever. To me, I am fearful that the day will come when he has had enough of me and my emotional messiness and be gone. But now I see that there really is no room for fear and I know that it is not of God. I have decided too. Thanks for your words.
Kathy
Love this!! As a women who has been married to my husband for 28 years I know what you are taking about! Ups and downs all through our marriage yet we stayed together. I can honestly say that God has been our rock and foundation and that’s why it works!
I remember when I made this very commitment to my husband. He was in a yucky place from PTSD and I wasn’t having any of it. It was hard. But now I look back and say, “That was one of the best decisions I have ever made.” THis was a great topic.
Very well put. Our God is so faithful to help us whenever we put Him at the center of anything especially our marriages. He created marriage and when He is for us who can be against us. Happy Anniversary