Today is our eleventh wedding anniversary. We were married at noon on a snowy day. Eight months before, we had just met on America Online. But we knew it was meant to be. We had a lovely wedding and it was a happy day in every way.
Eleven years ago I could not have predicted that my life would be what it is today. I would have thought I would be thinner, have more money, have more children (who were also older), have a bigger house, have had less sorrow and relational pain, have had better health, and have had less spiritual hardship.
But life truly is what happens when you are making other plans. It is a journey full of the unexpected.
We’ve had unexpected joys and surprises. We’ve also had a lot of detours and washed out bridges and stalled cars and rain delays in our eleven years. And while some have been painful, all of them have served a useful purpose.
Because without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Rich in love, rich in parenthood, rich in our needs being met, rich in people who care about us, rich in spiritual opportunities and growth, and rich in the gift of time and perspective.
No, marriage has not been what I would have expected. It has, in fact, been far better. So many people, including Christians, speak so lowly of the marriage relationship, that one is tempted to wonder if it really can be good over the longrun. And can it not just be good. Can it be great? Yes, I think it can.
I would have hesitated to say this before I had been married for several years. Too many people say that marriage is great because you are newlyweds. Well, there may be some truth to that, but I can see plenty of miserable newlyweds around me as well. But after eleven years I can say that marriage is wonderful if you are married to the right person. It is not perfect. I’m not perfect. David isn’t perfect. We both have our faults, our baggage, our insecurities, our selfishness, and our inherited sinful nature. But even the hardest days, the most disappointing days, have been better because of David.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this gift.
What a beautiful post, Sallie. Congratulations on your anniversary and may God bless your beautiful family in 2008!
Happy anniversary, Sallie and David! 🙂
Happy Anniversary. You are so very right about marriage & life being a journey, with unplanned & unexpected detours.
One of our friends just met (and are now married!!!) thru an online dating service. They are so very happy. You only hear of the bad online meetups, and I’m so glad yours is a beautiful testimony. God can use anyone, anywhere if we’re willing to follow Him!
Congratulations! I hope you have a beautiful day! What a lovely post! (I’m also still very moved over the don’t waste your infertility post you linked to.)
In Jesus, Susan PA (mama to eight and blessed wife to one)
Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary to you, Sallie and David! I love your perspective on marriage, Sallie. You’re truly blessed.
Happy anniversary to you both!
Happy Anniversary! I agree, marriage is more than wonderful when you are with the right person.
happy anniversary. 🙂
Happy Anniversary. I know what you mean about marriage being wonderful.
Mrs N
So true, so true. Each of those burdensome trials would have been much more burdensome without a godly mate to help shoulder the pain and remind me to go to God, or carry me there himself when I was unable. Happy Anniversary, and from one who has been married to David for 28 years, I can say it only gets better and better!
TM
I am a bit behind on this but from one January wedding to another…happy belated anniversary! You have three years on me though 🙂