I was thankful for my marriage the moment I became a wife. I was thankful to have the opportunity to marry my best friend and I was thankful to share our lives together. However, a few years down the road and my vision got a little cloudy. It became more difficult to be thankful for my marriage. Sin in my life perpetuated my blindness. I couldn’t see clearly.
One thing after another burdened our marriage. Instead of thankfulness, discontentment settled in my heart. The more I dwelled on the negative aspects of our relationship, the further I felt from God. I didn’t see our marriage as a gift and I suffered in misery for it.
Being thankful for my marriage required my heart to be turned toward God.
In my brokenness God never gave up on me. When I couldn’t see how things were going to work out, He is the One who led my husband and me to restoration and reconciliation. As my relationship with God grew, my heart grew too. God revealed my sin to me and I repented. I became unveiled and intimate with God…and it changed everything.
I am thankful that God saved my marriage.
I am thankful that He is faithful.
I am thankful that my husband and I stayed together, persevered and have hearts that are submitted to God.
I am thankful that I have had the experience of eight years with my husband, including good times and extremely difficult ones.
I am thankful that marriage has refined me and continues to each day.
I am thankful for the healing we have received.
I am thankful for the emotional, physical and spiritual intimacy my husband and I have been able to connect through.
I am thankful that our marriage has purpose and that our relationship is a beacon of light and hope to the world, a reflection of God’s grace and unconditional love.
I am thankful for the children we have.
I am thankful for the ministries we have been entrusted with and that we get to work together every single day to encourage other marriages.
I feel like my gratitude continues to run deeper and deeper into my heart as the years pass. I am especially grateful knowing now that marriage is vulnerable and that we almost lost everything. There is an energy that compels me to thank God everyday for the opportunity my husband and I have each day to love each other and share our lives with one another. Only a renewed perspective could take the wife that I once was and transform her into who I am today. Keeping my eyes on Jesus is the key.
