* This post is an edited repost from my anniversary in May 2013.
Last weekend held a special day for us ”“ our wedding anniversary. Thirty four years! We went out for a quiet dinner just the two of us. What a treat! Over dinner we had conversation reminiscing our wedding day. We realized how truly young we were on the day we took that walk down the aisle. We took a stroll through the years remembering good times. And bad. Times we laughed our heads off. And cried. Good decisions. And unwise ones. The joys of having our children. And the tears of endless nights with a colicky baby. Or rubbing feet that pained all night. The best part was knowing that we would do it all over again.
Every. Single. Part. Of. It.
This morning I remembered a quote I read several weeks ago and had written down.
Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.”
(Simone Signoret)
I am grateful for all those threads that have bound me together with my husband. Each one served to strengthen us, holding us together with a ferocity that was not there thirty four years ago. I am also grateful for this reminder in Scripture today:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work;
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Thought one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV)
There it is again ”“ the concept of threads holding a marriage together. I am so grateful for a God Who strengthened our threads over the years. Many times, He alone was the thread when we were tired and frayed.
And He was faithful to hold us together.
For He is a faithful God.
~~~~~~~
I have had the pleasure of reading “Choosing Him All Over Again” by Juana Mikels. This is a beautiful and true story of a marriage in trouble yet redeemed and restored by God. Juana shares with an honesty and transparency that it sure to draw every reader in close. She also shares a wealth of wisdom gained from Elisabeth Elliot, her mentor.
is also available on Amazon and many other bookstores.
I love this Joanne. It encourages me to keep weaving the threads that hold my marriage together. Celebrating with you. Happy Anniversary!
Lisha, may we keep weaving & keep strengthening our marriages with each passing day! Sorry about the confusion on my anniversary 🙂 I’ll hold your congrats in my heart until May 🙂
It is our anniversary on Sunday, so great to read this today!
Happy Anniversary! May you celebrate your special day & feel the joy renewed anew! Blessings!
Joanne! 34 years! Congratulations! And thank you Joanne for helping to spread the word about my Choosing Him All Over Again book!
You are most welcomed, Juana. I know the book is going to bless many!
I love how you laughed and cried and came together over 34 beautiful and hard years of marriage. It is such a blessing to hear other couples who have made it through so much and are celebrating with the joy that their threads weave together. Love this! My hubby and I are celebrating 11 years next month and it has been such a road well traveled iwth him. This post warmed my heart! Happy anniversary to you both and may God bless you with many more beautiful moments together!
Nicki, being married has probably been the main avenue through which God has drawn me to Himself. Then parenting 🙂 Amazing the relationships which God uses to change us & grow us. May you & your husband enjoy celebrating next month!
I mentioned to my husband recently that someone–who has now escaped me–had been married for 35 years and what a very long time that was. And then I realized that we’re coming up on 22. Every year is something to celebrate and be grateful for every single thing that God has done. Marriage is a tough go and God is indeed good.
Marriage may be a tough go, Natalie, yet it has been worth it all as I step back & am overwhelmed at all God has done these years. How wonderful that you are coming up on 22!
It is a good read. I enjoyed every bit of it. By the way,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. LOTS OF BLESSINGS.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/
I am grateful you enjoyed the post. It is a wonderful book, sure to bless!
I NEED to read this book, I have only heard good things. Been reading Radical Marriage, it’s a fantastic read on rejuvenating your marriage. It’s by David Steele. There are some good reads out there, these two are a pair of those!
Brandie, it truly is a wonderfully transparent story sure to inspire & bless you!
I love stories of forgiveness and redemption! This looks like a great one. Thanks for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday.
Tina
It is a very inspiring story & will be an encouragement to every woman! Always good to join you, Tina!