Never Give Up
from an article by Linda Benzon in the 6/29/16 Weekly Update
June 19, 2016, was our 40th Wedding Anniversary. One marriage, man and woman, spanning four decades is a rare thing these days- well worth celebrating. I have anticipated this milestone and how we might celebrate it for over a year now, but as the months went by, my enthusiasm waned. Things were tough. Love seemed to have faded, and fear of the future took its place. I talked to the Lord often about the situation, and He reminded me: love is action, not a feeling; all marriages go through rough spots; and I needed to examine myself for necessary changes. I agreed and went to work on some “attitude adjustments”. I shared my burden with close friends for prayer and was anointed by the elders.
While all these thoughts and prayers permeated my days, I was making a special anniversary gift- a photo book to encapsulate our forty years as man and wife. It was hard to get started, hard to keep going, but I reminded myself that this was love in action, a sacrifice of love. To keep me going I guess, the Lord repeatedly reminded me, “You still have something to celebrate!”
Feelings did not change much over the course of the hundred or so hours spent producing the book, but slowly my attitude changed from obligation to opportunity. This was an opportunity to bless my husband with remembrances of times together as a couple and with our children. The photos reminded me that God had been faithful to us through so much over the years. Daily obedience strengthened my faith muscle. God brought me to a place where I knew I could trust Him for today and for my future, even if nothing changed in my marriage.
He is doing more than that! Our relationship is reawakening. Honest conversations are yielding positive results. Feelings are catching up with faith, and I am truly looked forward to a celebration with our family. As it turns out, my gift for my husband was God’s gift to me. All He asked for was my willingness to trust Him and do what He asked me to do- simple (but not easy) obedience.
Everyone has a “situation.” Life is hard sometimes. Never give up on God, folks. There is still something to celebrate in your situation! Look for it, begin there, and watch the Lord work as only He can.
