Recently, someone walked to me and congratulated me on our 10th wedding anniversary. She then went on to say, "You should write 10 lessons from the 10 years." We laughed about it and I promised to fulfill the task. As we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, we've distilled some essential lessons that have helped us build a strong relationship.
1. Godliness
Prioritizing God in our marriage has been a cornerstone of our relationship. We believe that God brought us together, and He's the one who keeps us together. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us, "A threefold cord is not easily broken." By praying for each other and serving God together, we've strengthened our bond.
2. Friendship
Nurturing our friendship has been vital to our marriage. We make time to talk, laugh, eat, and play together, doing life as a team. Friendship looks beyond physical beauty and endures beyond the wedding day.
3. Love
Love is the foundation of our marriage. We've come to understand that marriage love is the will and desire to love each other for who we are, flaws and all. This selfless love has helped us grow together.
4. Forgiveness
Forgiveness has been a crucial aspect of our relationship. We've learned to let go of grudges and resentments, choosing instead to forgive and move forward. This has helped us avoid the toxic cycle of bitterness and anger.
5. Tolerance
We've learned to accept and appreciate each other's unique qualities, interests, and quirks. By embracing our differences, we've created a more harmonious and loving environment.
6. Communication
Effective communication has been a game-changer in our marriage. We've learned to express ourselves clearly, listen actively, and navigate conflicts with empathy and understanding. Lack of effective communication in a marriage is like riding a bicycle with your eyes closed.
7. Sensitivity
Being sensitive to each other's needs and situations has helped us build a stronger connection. We ask ourselves, "What does my partner think about this? How can I be of service to them?" These gestures have fostered a deeper sense of love and respect.
8. Humility
Humility has been essential in our relationship. We've learnt to put each other first, consider each other's perspectives, and grow in this virtue together. By learning to let go of pride, we've created a more loving and supportive environment.
9. Oneness
We've come to understand that we're one flesh, united in our love for each other and for God. By doing things together, agreeing as one, and growing in oneness, we've strengthened our bond.
10. Accountability
As each other's keepers, we've learned to hold each other accountable and support each other in our journey. We encourage each other to speak truth and love into each other's lives.
These lessons have helped us build a strong foundation for our marriage, and we're grateful to God for the journey we've shared so far.
