During the course of our marriage, Gwen and I learned many things about each other—and it was exhilarating! I can honestly say there was seldom a dull moment. To some it may seem that our close relationship and the romance we enjoyed were effortless—but they weren’t always.

When we were first married we had many of the same struggles that other young couples have. At times, some of those difficulties seemed insurmountable, as if they would take over our lives and destroy us—but that was a lie from Satan. If he can get us to believe that there is no hope, he has won the battle—but we don’t have to let him. We shouldn’t let him, because we know that above all things there is hope.

Hebrews 11:1 states,

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

In those early years, Gwen and I believed strongly in the “things not seen”. Although we were very much in love, marriage is sometimes difficult—but it is always worth the effort … always!

Gwen often spoke to others, especially young moms about what she referred to as the “Marriage Pot”. The book even has a chapter with that title outlining some specifics of what it means. In that chapter, I included a journal note that Gwen posted on the CaringBridge website one day after someone asked her what her secret was to a great marriage. I have included it in part here.

Gwen:  We see marriage as a pot that each spouse puts into. When I do something nice for Don, it makes him want to do something nice in return, which makes me want to do even more for him. As you do these good deeds to/for each other you fill your marriage pot. Then when one of you hits a crisis, there is a full pot to draw from.

We’ve had our share of drawing from the pot over the years (crises) and yet our love just grows and we still can’t get enough of each other, even after thirty-three years. Many friends have offered to travel to New York with me so Don can stay and work, but he won’t hear of it. He wants to be with me and go through all I am going through. I couldn’t ask for more.

I need you to know how much your prayers are accomplishing. God is truly our Shepherd going before us, and our protector watching our backs. I know that your prayers have me surrounded. I was reading the passage in Mark 6 where Jesus walked on the water and scared the disciples. He said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Those words spoke to me personally, as if He spoke them out loud. I am trying not to be afraid and He is so faithful to remind me on a daily basis that I am sheltered under His wing.

Thank you for your love and prayers.

Pray for me and Don. We have so much to live for.

I’m his girl.

Those early years of building and nurturing that Marriage Pot seemed to be such a chore sometimes, but as it grew so did we—more and more in love each day. Before long our love was no longer containable and our romance was, well … flourishing!  The trials that we experienced were extreme in several cases, but those trials deepened our relationship far more than the good times. But that is for a different post.

Know this—we worked for our marriage, for our romance, for our love. In return God blessed us beyond imagination—I mean beyond imagination! Adventure after adventure filled our lives, and forged the bond between us that carried us into the center of God’s plan.

What have you learned about your marriage that could help others? People want to know, so if you have any advice, comment or question, post that Here.