Jun 27, 2009

17 Years and Counting


It's 17 years today! Wow, it seems so crazy that 17 years ago Skip and I stood before God, family and friends and committed ourselves to love, honor and cherish each other forever. I remember with such clarity staring at Skip at the alter and thinking, "This man is perfect. I can't imagine life every being anything but absolutely magical with him." Boy, was I naive. He probably thought the same thoughts about me too. Only he probably thought something like, "This woman is so hot. She is going to be the wife of my dreams and always look amazing and want me 24/7." Cmon, he is a guy and these are important things in their manly world.


What we actually experienced in our 17 years was such a roller coaster ride of abrupt stops, huge curves out of nowhere, and a ride we often wanted to stop and get off. People often look to us as the couple "so in love" or the couple who seems to know what it takes to succeed. Oh I wish we had it all figured out so I could share this a make a million. I truly don't believe there are any ideal steps to follow or rules that make a marriage work. For us it simply comes down to this, we fail...we fail a lot. We say things we shouldn't, we let one another down at times, and we often choose not to love and respect each other the way we should. However, we have a foundation that started about 6 months into our marriage that made all the difference in the world.


For those who know me, you know what that treasure is-it is Christ! Sure we might have made it without that foundation, in fact people have marriages all the time survive without putting God first. I'm definitely not saying it can't happen. But there is freedom in Christ that I know takes our marriage to the next level. Christ is the source that fills me, that never lets me down and gives me the desires of my heart. I can't expect a man to do what only God can do. There have been so many times that I wanted to make Skip my all, but he failed. Same with me, I can't love perfectly and meet all of Skip's needs. Christ lets both of us off the hook. Don't get me wrong here, Skip is the man of my dreams in so many ways as a great father, an amazing lover (insert ewww if my kids were reading) a fantastic provider and an honorable godly man, but he is simply, just a man. Oops, almost forgot a fantastic cook! Even with all these great points, I know that God loves me even more.


Today I want to thank God for my marriage and let Skip know how blessed I am to have him in my life. However, I also want to tell you that if you aren't feeling such wonderful adoration for your man, in fact you aren't even sure why you married the guy in the first place, then I want to give you a little wisdom that helps me on those days (yes, we all have those days.) Pray for him. Respect him. Hug him. Encourage him. Serve him. Love him. Even if you don't feel like it or he doesn't deserve it, do it today. Above all else, ask God to make your marriage one of honor. I'm still doing that today after 17 years and I can honestly say "God answered!"


9 comments:

Tanya Subialdea said...

Awesome, Susie! Thanks for sharing your heart, and I wish you and Skip many, many more years of wedded "blessings" ... love you guys!

Tracy said...

what an awesome and incredible post. your honesty and reality is incredibly encouraging. you are an inspiration, susie! this was such a blessing!

Sue said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby! I can relate to so much of what you said - we'll be 15 yrs in October and God truly has to be the foundation of marriage in order to thrive in all areas, I believe. I tried being happy putting my hubby as my all but God hemmed me in and took me through quite a desert place where I had to learn that HE is first and then hubby. Since then we're back to "blissful" (most of the time).

I wish you & your hubby many, MANY more years of joy and growing together and as individuals in Jesus' love, grace and mercy!

Have a fun day!

JenniferSaake.blogspot.com said...

Happy anniversary! We will be celebrating 17 years in a little over a month ourselves. :) Praise the Lord!

Lori said...

Happy Anniversary!!

Julie Gillies said...

Aww, Susie...you two were (and still are) a beautiful couple. Happy Anniversary! May God grant you many more wonderful years together.

Robin said...

Happy Anniversary!!! You really do look exactly the same...well, the hair is a bit different. =)

DA Wagners said...

What a beautiful post! I love the picture of you both. Skip's facial expression is priceless! Happy anniversary!

Susanne said...

Happy, happy Anniversary to both of you!