Sorry Saturday: Let's Focus on Growing Old Together

Yesterday was our anniversary. Twenty-seven years. How does the time go by so quickly?

It seems like such a short time ago when we looked like this:

I look at that picture and I recognize the two of us, but I realize that we are essentially different people now. We've known each other longer than we didn't know each other. We've grown in knowledge, maturity, and waist size.

We've laughed, cried, traveled, celebrated, fought, made up, prayed, worked, and played together.

We've also done this together:

Allison, Blake, Robyn, Dylan, Gary, Erin

                                       

I turned fifty last March. Gary will turn fifty on Valentines Day. We're getting old, but at least we're growing old together.

Some couples don't make it to twenty-seven years. Some don't make it to twenty or even seven years. They get frustrated by the changes in their spouse and they decide they've had enough.

I understand, but it makes me sad. They're missing out on so much joy they could have if they would wait out the hard times, work through the rough days, and walk alongside their spouse even when they would rather run the other way.

My friend Myrna and her husband also were married on February 10. She wrote a blog post a couple of years ago that captures beautifully some of the ideas I'd like you to focus on this week. One of the most important aspects of loving someone well is commitment. It's hard some days, but keeping God intertwined with the two of us will make our marriage strong enough to last as we grow old together.

Happy Anniversary, Gary! I love you and I'm glad God brought us together so many years ago. It's been a wild ride and I look forward to what He has in store for us in the years ahead.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-13 NIV)

How many years have you been married (if you are married)? How can focusing on God help you to stay together and keep loving each other even through the difficult times?

(A note to my divorced readers: I am not trying to make you feel guilty or ashamed if your marriage did not last. You did the best you could, I'm sure. Everyone's situation is different and we can't judge from the outside. I just want those who are currently married to do everything they can to stay married, and hopefully learn from God so that it is a happy marriage most of the time.)