Sweet Sixteen
Jared C. Wilson Blog | June 29, 2012
Becky and I are grateful to God today to celebrate 16 years of marriage. June 29, 1996 we said "I do," on the third anniversary of our first date. After now nineteen years as an "item," sixteen in covenant together, I am bolstered in my belief in God's persevering of the saints.I tried to kill our marriage several times, steadily over the course of several years. Actually, I wasn't really trying to; I just was. Marriage puts two sinners in close quarters under the commitment neither will try to escape. We trust each other and exchange expectations. Every day of marriage is like five minutes after the fall of mankind. The fruit's been eaten, the nakedness and shame are revealed. Will we shift blame and self-justify? Usually. I got really good at it.
But something happens when "I do" becomes "I will." God is in the mix. It's a covenant, not a contract. The union can be upheld by one party if he or she desires. We are married today not because we were always promise-keepers, but because God was. And God is. And God will be. About seven years ago I underwent an experience I call gospel wakefulness. People don't change, generally. But God can change people. And he did. It took Becky a long while to trust me. I had crushed her heart. But in the end, God awed her too.
I don't wish my days of regret on any marriage. But I've been around long enough to know regretless marriages are pretty rare. Long marriages are stories of hurts harbored or forgiven. Becky and I have learned the power of Christ's sufficient grace in our marriage. We have learned how to die to ourselves, live to God, and enjoy each other. And here we are, sixteen years later, still standing, still swooning, drunk on love like those "I do" days.
Fridays are my days off, and sometimes she and I will be driving around to one destination or another, and I'll just look over at her, take her hand, and say, "Look what God did." I don't want to take God's faithfulness for granted. Two weeks ago we took an early anniversary getaway. On the drive back home, she took my hand and said, "I'm glad I'm married to you." I could've died, y'all, and gone to heaven right there.
Becky, I love you. Thank you for being a picture of God's grace to me all these years. May he grant us many, many more.
Comments:
June 29, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Beautiful couple, beautiful comment! Congratulations!
June 29, 2012 at 11:07 AM
I loved this:
"Marriage puts two sinners in close quarters under the commitment neither will try to escape. We trust each other and exchange expectations. Every day of marriage is like five minutes after the fall of mankind. The fruit’s been eaten, the nakedness and shame are revealed. Will we shift blame and self-justify? Usually..."
This is realism, not pessimism. And where sin abounds grace does more abound!
I once heard a definition of marriage: Committing to live the rest of your life in a house that's too warm with a person who thinks it's too cold...ad infinitum....
This I think goes along with your "and exchange expectations"!!!
Thanks for some great thoughts (as always). Oh, and congrats on 16 years. My wife and I celebrate 15 years in August.
June 29, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Happy Anniversary! I loved your post, especially as today is our 38th anniversary! Isn't it wonderful.
June 29, 2012 at 05:42 PM
Love it. Congratulations. I still remember that day distinctly. God has been so faithful, my brother.
June 29, 2012 at 04:30 PM
Happy Anniversary! May God grant you many more.
July 7, 2012 at 02:00 PM
Please ask your wife if her was dress was a Jessica McClintock dress. I'm nearly positive we had the same dress and I'm very curious.
Brandi
June 30, 2012 at 09:37 PM
I remember too! :-) I am so happy for you both. And for the glory He receives through your marriage. Praise God!