Week 288

Positive post Sunday, August 28, 2022- Week 288.

The Lord speaks to us through our many blessings, all we need to do is open our hearts and listen. “Speak Yahweh, for your servant is listening” – 1 Samuel 3:10.

Here is an example.

When searching for a topic for my PPS earlier this week, I opened Facebook to review my past posts. As soon as it opened, I received that message we are all familiar with, the message that shows one of your posts from years ago on that same day and asks if you want to repost it. This post was a letter of appreciation I wrote to Michele 10 years ago on August 25th, 2012.

Coincidently, or as I choose to believe, Yahweh speaking to me, I had been planning on writing one of my Positive Posts on the sacrament of marriage and share what I believe has made my marriage of 39 years so rewarding. When this post from 10 years ago popped up, reminding me how blessed I am to be happily married and for so many years, I saw it as an affirmation from the Lord that it was time to write about marriage this week. As I went to post this PPS this morning another memory from today’s date in 2010 was waiting for me. it simply said, “Faith, Family and Friends……. the rest will all fall in place!!” Also not a coincidence.

With great humility, I humbly share the letter below once again. Michele and I have shared many more experiences since August 2012 including the births of 5 more grandchildren, managing through a pandemic and recovering from a horrific cycling accident to name a few. All our experiences over these past 10 years have only amplified and deepened my expression of gratitude in this letter.

Letter Written to Michele and posted on August 25, 2012

Michele,

I love you! I just wanted to take a moment to tell you (and all my “friends”) how much of an honor it is to be your husband. You are incredibly generous, patient, unselfish (to a fault!) and faithful. I am very lucky to have you as my wife and our kids and grandkids are equally lucky to have you as their mother and Mommom.

I thank God each day for sending me an Angel (you) to be my partner through all our life journeys (both good and challenging) and we have had many. Thank you for always being there for me. I am truly blessed to have you as my wife!

Love,

Dan

Although I usually do external research when writing my weekly PPS, this week I chose to use my own personal experience to develop what I believe to be the top 10 ingredients in a strong and sustainable marriage.

1) Faith – the foundation

2) Love – “true” love not pleasure

3) Communication – open and honest

4) Forgiveness – we are all imperfect

5) Appreciation – expressed not implied

6) Time – spent with only each other

7) Sacrifice – family over personal wants

Service – actively serve family and others in the community

9) Celebrate – take time to smell the roses

10) Perseverance – weather the storms together, the sun will come out

Disclaimer: I do not profess to have an abundance of these ingredients and my recipe is far from complete. With the grace of God, Michele’s patience and the power of prayer, I am committed to improve.

There is a reason why the traditional vows include “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part”. All marriages, including ours, face challenges, some very significant. Michele and I are blessed that our marriage has not only withstood the test of time, but with faith as our foundation and service as our mission, we have grown stronger together by working as one living the life the Lord has planned for us. Thank you for your guidance Lord.

What subtle messages has the Lord sent you? Are you listening and responding?

How do you share your appreciation for your spouse?

Which of the 10 ingredients for a successful and sustainable marriage do you need to work on? What steps will you take to improve?