How to celebrate your 50th Wedding Anniversary!

This past Sunday we took a break from our "40 Days in the Word" series and did a special Illustrated Message "Marriage Is It Worth It?" You can listen to the podcast at http://www.wyandottefamily.com/listen.html or you can download it from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wyandotte-family-church/id478735158  

We continue our blog series on Marriage this week with, "How to Celebrate your 50th Wedding Anniversary."

One thing that I remember about both of my Grandmothers and Grandfathers was their longevity in marriage. My Fathers side I believe were married for 60 years and I know my Mothers side were over 50 years of marriage. This was probably true for a lot of your grandparents.

When you look at that generation you hear all sorts of answers from people. "They just stayed together no matter what." "They didn't necessarily love each other or even like each other, they just stayed together." "They weren't necessarily happy but their generation didn't believe in divorce."

Wherever you fall on the spectrum as an outsider looking in, there is something deep down in our hearts that is attractive to that. Being able to stay with 1 person for 50 years. Working out problems, forgiving, growing and moving forward together. Who wouldn't want that for their marriage. So, if you are married, how do you do that? How do you make it? How can you celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary?

Two simple thoughts of being able to kiss your bride or hubby for a 50th wedding anniversary.

#1-Stay Close to your first love

All throughout the Bible, God calls His children to keep him first above all things, even the marriage relationship. The more connected to your first love (Jesus Christ) the better equipped and able you will be to love your 2nd love (your spouse). It is hard to harbor bitterness, resentment, jealousy etc. in our hearts when we are growing in our relationship with God. As we put God first, He works on our hearts and gives us the strength to keep moving forward with our spouse.

#2-Consistently take inventory

Here is a great quote from one of my heroes, mentor and friend.

Marriage is More about effort than infatuation, callouses then goose bumps and faithfulness than fun—Lance Lecocq

On Sunday we talked about marriage being more about holiness than happiness. Marriage is hard work. We need to recalibrate and be reminded often that marriage isn't about my needs, my happiness and my pleasure. Here is the amazing reality of doing marriage God's way. When we put our spouse before ourselves, we find the peace, love and joy we were hoping for and wanting.

Marriage is hard work but IT IS WORT IT!!!

PS. Our Reconnect Marriage Retreat is March 21-22. 7pm on Friday to 4pm on Saturday. This years retreat is at the Henry in Dearborn. THIS WEEK ONLY get a $25 discount if you register. With the discount that makes the retreat only $150 for 1 night stay at the Henry, 4 group sessions, snacks Fri. night and breakfast Sat. morning. Email Lisa lisa.wyan.family@gmail.com for registration info.

PSS. Don't forget our first 3rd Friday of the season is this Friday!!! We will be by the clock tower 5-8pm with a "mindcraft" ice sculpture. You can volunteer for helping the city set up or helping at our booth by emailing Timeia at timeialee@yahoo.com