Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Anniversary That Wasn't Supposed to Happen


Sixteen years. That's how long it's been since he quietly eased into my life, and he's been there ever since. 

Back then, they said we couldn't make it. 

"Too young." 

"Two firstborns can't get married."

 "You're throwing your lives away."

But he's not the kind of guy that listens to "can't". He responds to jeers of "Easy out!" by hitting the ball out of the park. When life knocks him to the ground, he springs up with fists flying. When boulders block the path he's taking, he turns them into stepping stones. 

Tell him he can't do something, and he'll die trying. 

Fourteen years. That's how long it's been since we ignored the unsolicited advice of many and hearkened to the counsel of the precious few that loved us best. When the Author of Love itself inscribed it into our hearts in indelible ink alongside, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." 

The ink hasn't blurred. It hasn't faded. Its scrawl has remained constant through multiple washings of tears and numerous incinerating trials. 

We've laughed and wept together. We've buried loved ones and birthed four. We've fallen in the dust, and together we've dusted ourselves off and kept going. We've enjoyed successes, and we've grieved failures. We've held hands on rose-strewn pathways, and we've held each other through the darkest storms. 

And, a long time ago, we stopped listening to "can't". When you tell us we can't do something, we'll die trying. 

Because the Author's footnote says, "'Til death do us part." 





3 comments:

  1. LOVE YOU BOTH AND LOVING THIS AND YOUR PICTURES..GOD IS SO GOOD... HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOU BOTH.MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU TODAY AND FOREVER AND MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.YOUR PARENTS I AM SURE JUST LIKE GOD ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU BOTH..LOVE YOUR COUSIN JACKIE †

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  2. When I read this article, we too, were advised that our marriage wouldn't last 6 months. However, we knew that we were in the center of God's will. We knew that we loved each other. Sometimes through the many difficulties, the only thing that got us through was our love for God and each other. I am not saying that all was hard. Through our journey of nearly 27 years together, we learned to laugh, to rejoice, and sing. Life is what you make it to be. You have a choice to be happy together or not. Being centered in Christ and each other's love is a good recipe for a happy and fulfilling marriage.
    Happy Anniversary Jennifer and Jeff!

    Donna (and David)

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  3. Congratulations on making all the naysayers have egg on their faces! You have learned the true secret to a happy marriage, and it isn't a THING, it's a PERSON, Jesus Christ! I don't know you, but I love the wisdom in this article. My hubby and I have made it through 44 years of better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health, and the "D" word has never crossed our lips. As Ruth Graham once said, "murder, maybe, but not divorce!" Just keep on keeping on, and God will continue to bless your life together. Happy Anniversary, a few days late!

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