24

Twenty-four years ago today, a bratty young woman married the man of her dreams. Little did she know that marriages aren't made of fairy tales but instead are wholly dependent on the grace of God.

Little did she know that true love does not seek its own. Instead,true love covers a multitude of sins. It's not pouty or selfish. It's others-focused.

It slays SELF daily and serves with joy. It hopes when there seems to be no hope. It gives kind words in the midst of anger. 

True love remembers its vows, in sickness or in health, in hard times and in good. True love doesn't walk away.  It says "yes" when it wants to say "no." It keeps going when it wants to quit. 

True love has staying power.

True love grows in the soil of affliction. It gets stronger roots with every offense forgiven and every mercy poured out from God. It strengthens with every thanks-giving.

True love keeps its eyes fixed on Christ and not the circumstances.

These past 24 years of married life are a magnificent display of God's mercies and His grace. Where would we be if God had given us what we deserve? 

Instead God humbled us with a deeper love for Him, a deeper love for each other, and eleven (eight here with us) precious blessings. 

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.."

Psalm 27:1

May God bless us with many more years of growing in love and His grace!