Ephesians 5:22-33

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Last week was pretty amazing and memorable for me.  My husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on October 3rd.   Now a days, you don’t see marriages lasting for this long.  We started dating when I was just 15 years old and a sophomore in high school.  He had already graduated high school and was attending a local community college.

We went to the same school and were in the band together.  He and his mom had even started coming to our church when he was a senior in high school.   His mom was also my English teacher in middle and high school.  We saw each other around and even hung out at youth nights together at church.  I always thought he was cute and did have a little crush on him, knowing that we would never date because I was younger than he was.  You can only imagine how surprised I was when I received a single rose on Valentine’s Day at school on Feb. 14th, 1991.  That day was the beginning of our life together.

Has it been easy?  No.  We married when I was 17 and expecting our first child.  I was a senior in high school.  I had people disappointed in me.  However, I knew that he was the one God had sent to me.  Yes, we have argued and have had many disagreements.  The important thing?  We put God first in our life.  We should have done it sooner than what we did, however, you learn from your mistakes.  On occasion, we get a little selfish and God sends us a reminder that we have slipped.

I am thankful and very blessed to have him in my life.  I know he loves me unconditionally.  However, I know he loves God even more and that is what is important.  As long as he keeps God first in his life, then I know our marriage will last.   As long as I keep God first, I know our marriage will last.  I am looking forward to many more years with this wonderful man.

Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for and I give God all the glory for all of the many blessings He has given us.

1011. 20 years of marriage to my husband.

1012. the 4 blessings (children), that He has given us.

1013. a faithful husband.

1014. a God-fearing husband.

1015. a husband who helps around the house.

1016. a nice dinner and evening out with my husband.

1017. the changing of the seasons.

1018. the cooler weather.

1019. older kids watching the younger kids so we could enjoy an evening out.

1020. family drives and time spent together.

My husband and I on Mother’s Day is 2010.

I would love for you to join in counting the many blessings that God gives. Stop by A Holy Experience and visit others who are also sharing their many blessings.