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Marriage Secrets From 41 Years

September 1, 2013 By Kathie 14 Comments

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I don’t know as though there are really too many marriage secrets, but I’d like to think that the ideas I’m sharing here today are part of what helped us get to the milestone we are celebrating today – our 41st wedding anniversary!

I feel incredibly blessed that God has given me such a wonderful husband. He has been supportive of me, and loved me through many ups and downs, as we have raised our 8 children.

Sometimes people will comment on how unusual it is for a couple to stay together for so long. Other times they ask, “How do you do it? How do you make it work?”  I don’t have any fancy formula to give,  but do have some marriage secrets that have helped us over the years.

Marriage Secrets from 41 Years The Character Corner

MARRIAGE SECRETS FROM 41 YEARS

1. COMMITMENT

We made a promise before God committing to each other for life, through good times and bad. Regardless of our feelings at the time, or how things may be going, we have never wavered on that.

2. CHOOSE

We need to on purpose, intentionally CHOOSE to focus on the good. If we don’t, we face the danger of letting little petty irritations creep in and grow. Negative thoughts then consume our thinking and focus, allowing bitterness or indifference to hurt the relationship.

Sometimes those negative thoughts come because we have expectations of our spouse. Perhaps we look at what other husbands do for their wives, or what they do with the kids, etc.

Those expectations can be SO dangerous for two reasons.

  • They set us up for disappointment. (Blessed is she who expects nothing, for she shall not be disappointed!)
  • They often cause us to lose sight of the many things our spouse DOES do for us – things we often take for granted. (Yes, I know this from personal experience!)

Recently I caught myself grumbling under my breath about my husband and the expectation that hadn’t been met as I thought it would or should be. God gently spoke to my heart about all I had to be thankful for in our marriage and our relationship.

I immediately realized that I could focus on the little things that irked me, and disappointments I’d brought on myself from my expectations, OR I could choose to focus on all the GOOD things.

I could focus on all the things I admire in him, all the things he DOES for me that I can and should be thankful for.

It’s a CHOICE. 

It’s not a one-time choice either, but one you need to make every time you feel those negative thoughts starting.

I actually wrote myself a list as a reminder:

THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR IN MY HUSBAND:

1. He loves God with all his heart, and lives to please Him.

He demonstrates this by his faithfulness to church, and by serving God in various ways.

2. His faithfulness to God’s Word.

He not only reads it, but he believes it, and has always tried to apply the principles he learns from it to everyday situations.

3. I am thankful for His faithfulness to ME!

Sometimes I am just amazed that he loves me, because, at times, I don’t even love me!

Forty-one years ago he made a commitment to God and me and has remained faithful to that commitment to love and cherish me, through the good and the bad.

He has never given me reason to doubt his faithfulness, and has been and still is very careful to guard his heart and mind.

4. I’m grateful for His strong work ethic, and hard work.

My husband works hard. He is a truck driver, and does a lot of heavy unloading every day.

Often he has 10 hour days, or longer. In all the years we’ve been married, he has probably only called in to work ONCE due to sickness. He goes in whether he feels good or not.

My husband works hard, comes home tired, but NEVER complains about working to provide for us. My adult kids have a great work ethic, thanks to his example over the years!

5. He was willings to help me, even when he had a long hard day. When the kids were younger, he found ways to help whenever he could.

For example, he would:

  • Give the kids their baths, and get them ready for bed.
  • Take the kids to the park, when I needed some rest, or quiet time.
  •  He loves history, and taught all the kids history for me one year.
  •  After our first baby was born, he took over the grocery shopping for me. Every week, for years, he bought all the groceries. When the kids all got a bit older, he would stay home with them, and I’d go buy the groceries. (Yes, going to the grocery store was like a vacation!)
  • He often cooked, cleaned, and helped with laundry. (still does!)

Those are just a FEW of the many things I have to be thankful for. Your list will probably look different than mine. However, I want to encourage you and challenge you to make a list! Refer to it often, and use it to CHOOSE the thoughts that nurture your marriage.

Related:  Two Keys For A Good Marriage

 

Marriage Secrets

I am truly blessed to be married to a wonderful man, and I thank God for these marriage secrets that have helped us over the past 41 years we have had together!

GRAB A FREE COPY OF 25 TIPS FOR A LASTING MARRIAGE!

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14 CommentsFiled Under: Building Godly Character in Your Kids, Purposeful Marriage

Comments

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  3. Kathie says

    September 12, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    Thanks Judy! Your 35th will be here before you know it. 🙂

  4. Judith at WholeHearted Home says

    September 10, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    Happy Anniversary!! You got married about 7 months before we did!! We are at 34 years 🙂 and it is a blessing. This is so encouraging. I love all the things that your husband has done for you over the years.

  5. Mel Caldicott says

    September 7, 2013 at 3:33 am

    Great post and congratulations! Love what you have written about the expectations we have in our marriage and how easy it is to complain when they are not met. Changing this attitude to thankfulness is wise advice.
    Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
    Blessings
    Mel from Essential Thing Devotions

  6. Tiffany Dawn says

    September 6, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Congrats on making it 35 years! The reminder to choose to dwell on the good things and be thankful for your husband is such good advice for gals like me who still haven’t married. My boyfriend & I are planning to get married next year and I’m looking forward to being committed to one another & choosing each other every day!

  7. Kaye Swain says

    September 6, 2013 at 10:56 am

    What a sweet testimony of love along with excellent marriage advice! And what a great suggestion from the comment by Steve as well.

  8. Jane M. says

    September 6, 2013 at 10:41 am

    What a beautiful post!

    Thankfulness is the key to a Joyful heart and a good marriage.

  9. Steve says

    September 4, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

    A while ago I read Marcus Buckingham’s book, The One Thing You Need to Know. He worked for the Gallup organization and based on research he concluded that the ONE THING, above all else, that makes for a happily married, life long couple is this: Find the most generous explanation for each other’s behavior and believe it. Simple, elegant advice that sounds a lot like yours. Great post!

  10. Beth says

    September 4, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Yes, I so resonate with your words here, Kathie! I was very discontent early on in my marriage simply because I focused on all that my husband didn’t do or did wrong. When I learned to trust God with what my husband failed at and focused on what he was already doing right, I was able to love him unreservedly and my discontentment was kicked to the curb! Funny, once I stopped myself from listening to the negative critic in my head, and intentionally focused on the good in my husband, I was blown away by all that he really was doing for me and our family. Eye-opening to say the least. Congrats on 35 years! Quite the milestone and one to be proud of, my friend!

  11. Kim Adams Morgan says

    September 4, 2013 at 10:22 am

    Congrats on 35 years, WOW! God Bless you both. Marriage does take commitment and a choice every day to love and move forward, without letting negative emotions destroy your relationship. Like you said, it will. I am your neighbor at Wedded Wed. Great message!

    Kim

  12. Missy June says

    September 3, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    Your marriage is an inspiration! Congratulations on 35 years and may you enjoy many more together.

  13. Cheryl Powell says

    September 2, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Congrads!!!

  14. Elizabeth says

    September 1, 2013 at 11:33 pm

    What a fabulous post! I loved your list and everything you had to share! What great marriage advice ! Congratulations and happy anniversary ! You have reached quite a milestone !

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My name is Kathie, and I am glad you stopped by. I am a stay-at-home mom of 8 wonderful kids, and have been homeschooling for 31 years. I hope that my blog will be a blessing and encouragement to you! Read More…

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About Kathie Morrissey

My name is Kathie, and I am glad you stopped by. I am a stay-at-home mom of 8 wonderful kids, and have been homeschooling for 31 years. I hope that my blog will be a blessing and encouragement to you! Read More…

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