Happy 14th

Today I celebrate 14 years of marriage. The Hub and I dated for 7 years before we got married, so friends, its been 21 years. I mean, gosh. That's a long time. We dated in high school, through college and got married fresh afterwards. To clarify, this old girl was the ripe old age of 16 when we started dating. Whew, what a long time ago that seems to be. As I was learning to drive, being a silly teenager and learning what maturity really meant, I was digging The Hub. Turns out he was digging me too. It can truly be said that we grew up together. The Hub was 18 when we started dating. Shhhh, don't tell anyone that, me being underage and all.

Today as I look back over 21 years I see plenty of humps and hurdles. Plenty of tough times and plenty of disappointments. Marriage, and raising children, is not easy. But friends, as the voice of joy this morning I want to tell you that I also see perseverance, triumph and the test of time. The good truly does outweigh the bad. As humans, when we hit those lows we feel like that is the rock bottom and the "whoa is me" dilemna. Truth is, we can't thank God for the good times and not thank Him for the bad too. We have to celebrate both. Both are a requirement for growth and longevity.

As a Christian couple our commitment has always been that forever is forever. We've seen so many friends call it quits. Isn't a marriage akin to a relationship with Christ? You don't always get out what you feel you put in. You don't always receive the results you think you deserve. You get angry, you get sad. God doesn't disappoint. Our expectations do.

Whether your single or married, dating or divorced, as a child of God, your commitment to Him should stand through thick or thin. Our small group has been studying Hebrews and what we've discovered is God tends to repeat Himself. Hmm. Wonder why that is? Could it be because we don't hear it the first time...or the second time...or the third time. In our small group we chuckle as we go through the verses, chapter by chapter, and we say "didn't we just read this a few verses ago?" Yes, we did. And we continue to read the same general thought. Jesus is the way to God. He is the man, and He has our best interest in mind at all times. We are to have faith in Him that His plan is supreme and no matter the pitfalls, potholes or broken bridges, God is walking with us.

Have faith in your relationships, friends. View them with the same eyesight that God views our relationship with Him. Be committed, kind and faithful. Hold on to what God has given you. Expect the trials and tribulations and celebrate the joys and victories. This life brings plenty of both. Let your faith sustain you through it all.