Surviving the Teens

I'm skipping the book of Revelation today to instead post the below open letter to my husband for our wedding anniversary.

"If you're going through Hell, keep going."
~ Winston Churchill

Dear John,

When I gave you the above quote to hang in your office, I'd guess we both thought it would only apply to your job.

I'd guess when we both said, "for better or for worse," we weren't thinking "worse" would include walking each other through Hell.

I'd guess we're both better for surviving the flames.

Today we complete nineteen years of marriage and begin the twentieth. When people have said the teen years were difficult, they usually mean the kids. But I'd be really curious to find out the statistics on how many marriages don't make it through the teens.

I'm glad to have found out that the faithfulness of your character could outlast the teens, that both our hearts rely on God, that our love for each other proved fireproof.

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV)

I thank God that we established our marriage on Him, because He preserved us when we would have otherwise unraveled. I thank God that He gave us the ability to together withstand the enemy trying to rip us apart. I thank God for all the people who have prayed for us.

I give you my word I'll try to visit the past only when we find it hindering us from moving forward. I give you my word that I'll let you lead me there. I give you my word to remain by your side when we lie down together and when we take our stand together and as we walk together.

I give you my word that I'll keep saying to you, "Every day is a new day."

Today, John, I affirm:

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ... because I have you in my heart ...
~ Philippians 1:3,7 (NKJV)

With love and affection,
Anne
xxooxxoo — etc.

P.S. There's another verse between those last two that goes like this:

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
~ Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
: )

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