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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: MARRIAGE (08/25/16)
How to Make It to Your 50th Wedding Anniversary

Picture this!
An old-fashioned red brick church as the backdrop for a Sunday School class pictures day. On this sunny afternoon, a young couple stands ready for their picture to be snapped. It’s their first wedding anniversary and they are all smiles because happiness reigns in their marriage. The smile on their face isn’t because they said “cheese.” They are happy because they believe the Lord planned their life and marriage.

They are dressed in their best to honor the Lord. She has on a pale pink flowered, belted dress with a modest neckline and flared skirt. Also she wears a tan hat and shoes and holds a tan purse. Pinned to her dress is a flower her husband gave her to celebrate their anniversary.

He wears a light blue suit, white shirt and a blue tie the same color as his suit. Also he sports “white bucks” (shoes). He holds a black Holy Bible in one hand and clasping his wife’s hand in his other.

The imaginary picture—can you see it?

As you observe this picture you can see many effects that represent why their marriage will last.

Church Attendance. Notice where the picture is taken. They knew church attendance included spiritual nourishment and fellowship. Both are essential for Christians to grow into mature believers. They made it a practice to attend church on Sunday and some mid-week services. Church attendance is necessary to help you make it to your 50th anniversary.

Dependence on the Holy Spirit. The smiles on their faces represent what’s within. They both gave testimony about why they always smiled.

He said, “Because the Holy Spirit lives within me and He has given me a smile from Jesus that I might represent Jesus on earth. My smile attracts people and then I can tell them about Jesus and His great gift of salvation.

She said, “Romans 8:28, (NLT), ‘We know that God causes everything to work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them,’ gives me assurance. The Holy Spirit will show me God’s plan. Whatever happens in life I know the end result will be in accord with His will. I’ve allowed the Holy Spirit to transform me to Jesus’ image for His purposes.” Dependence on the Holy Spirit is an essential to live the Christian life and will assist you so you can make it to your 50th anniversary.

Study of the Word. The Holy Bible in the man’s hand. Study of the Word was part of their lives even before they married. They continued throughout their marriage because they knew all the answers to life were in God’s Word.

Affection. They both made it a must to say, “I love you,” and if necessary, I’m sorry or “I forgive before they turned off the light at night. These easy phrases are simple and are part of the unconditional love Jesus taught.

The corsage pinned to the woman’s dress was a little “I love you” present to celebrate their anniversary. She gave him a hand-written love note for his anniversary present. These present aren’t necessary to express love, but gifts can say I love you and help the marriage to thrive. An attitude of love kept their marriage vibrant. If you make affection part of you marriage daily, you’re sure to make it to your 50th anniversary.

Commitment. You can’t see commitment in the picture but there is a suggestion. Notice their hands are entwined. They held hands and vowed before God and family the day they married to “put Jesus first” in their marriage and in every life circumstance. Also they committed themselves one to the other. That day they both agreed they were committed first to Jesus, each other second, the church, and to reach the world for Jesus wherever He might lead. They believed their commitment was a covenant, like God made—never to be broken. Commitment is another essential, without it marriage won’t last to the 50th anniversary.

Church attendance, dependence on the Holy Spirit, study of the Word, affection and commitment were the features that made their marriage last for fifty years.
Because I new this couple, I can vouch for this visual testimony. On June 2, 2009 they celebrated their 53th Wedding Anniversary. He went to meet His Master in January of 2010. She continues living the life God planned depending on the Holy Spirit to lead her.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Nicki Jeffery
09/02/16
A delightful story! I really like how you describe the couple, down to the clothes they are wearing. There are great truths in your discussion of why their marriage lasted 50 years. Just a few little errors: "clasping" was a change of tense. The word "new" in the last paragraph should say "knew". Thanks for sharing this beautiful testimony.
C D Swanson 
09/03/16
Oh my goodness, this touched my heart and made me cry throughout the entire piece.

You did an excellent job of describing this blessed and loving couple, you've touched on critical and important components of truth pertaining to the secret of a great marriage, and made it come alive through the witness of this godly couple.

Thank you for sharing this with us...how beautiful that they had so many years together.

Beautiful beautiful entry...

God bless~
Judy Sauer 
09/05/16
I enjoyed reading your vivid imagery. You painted the picture, and shared their story, from beginning to the end. This is a very nice entry.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/09/16
Congratulations on ranking 4th in your level and 22 overall. The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.