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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Bookends (01/30/14)
Our marriage could be compared to a couple of bookends. Through the test of time, we began to look alike, yet are on the opposite ends of the spectrum on many things. I like my coffee very hot; he likes his warm. He likes to go to bed early and I prefer to stay up late. I like romance movies; he can’t get enough of the war flicks. The list goes on and on as we put together the pages of our lives.

It all started with the book of joy the day we were married. We didn’t have a big wedding, just twenty-five guests. Our families lived far away and money was short for them as well as for us. It didn’t matter though, because we were in love and just wanted to be together.

Next came the book of sadness when we realized we couldn’t have children. I think this chapter in life was harder for me at first, having always wanting to be a mother. Years later, though, he realized how much joy we have missed without kids and grandkids. I will say that we had more time to spend together and this has helped to make our relationship grow.

Forgiveness was the hardest book we had to write. Both of us had abusive fathers and we needed those relationships to be reconciled. With the Lord’s help, we managed to not only forgive, but also help them through illnesses before their passing.

Others have received our forgiveness also as we set aside some deep hurts and choose to forgive instead. Then of course, there were the little quarrels in our marriage where we needed to forgive each other.

The book of disappointments is probably the largest of all the books. There was the loss of two businesses, the financial struggle to make ends meet, the end of a music career, the loss of our home and others. Yet, with God’s help and guidance, we keep moving on to the next chapter of our lives.

There are many others books we have written, like the book of regret, the book of compassion, the book of sacrifice and more. We have stood firm and tall through it all as we honored our vows to always stay together. No matter which book we were writing at the time, we did it with a deep love for each other.

We will keep on writing books, hoping that our strong, enduring love will be an example to many young couples beginning to write a marriage book of their own.

Yes, you could say we are bookends, holding our lives together until the last book is written and we go to meet our Lord where our names have been written in His book of life!
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This article has been read 1009 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/06/14
Very clever and well written entry. I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you.

God bless~
Danielle King 
02/08/14
This is an uplifting story of love and forgiveness and a very enjoyable read. I like the title too because these days, many marriages fall apart almost before they've begun. I think a lot of people will relate to your story. Great job!
Toni Hammer
02/09/14
Clever integration of this week's challenge. As someone who hasn't even reached the 5 year mark in her marriage I found this to be hopeful and sweet.
Larry Whittington
02/10/14
I liked this.

Expand this to a marriage counselor's manual.
Colin Swann
02/10/14
I really enjoyed this wonderful love story of staying together through thick or thin. I smiled within when you wrote small quarrels - my wife and I run a marriage course and we had big quarrels at the outset of our marriage, but the Lord knocked off the rough edges over the years. Thanks!
Ellen Carr 
02/11/14
What a lovely take on the topic, the books of your lives together and you two as bookends. Thanks for writing this. Well done!
Linda Goergen
02/11/14
Touching testimonial story. Yes marriages are indeed many books bonded into one, much like the Bible. Well written.
Yannick Ford
02/11/14
I really like the ending with the thought of your names being written in the Lord's book of life. What an encouragement! Your article makes me want to think carefully about what books I am writing as I go through life. Greetings, Yannick.
Karen Polk`
02/12/14
The message in your story easily captivated my attention, especially having seen the hand of the Lord turn the chapters in my own marriage from ones of bitterness to betterness. A job well done in being real and extending hope as well.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
02/13/14
I enjoyed your marriage books piece very much--a creative idea.
C D Swanson 
02/13/14
Congratulations!

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/14/14
Congratulations on ranking 3rd in your level and 40 overall! The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.