fight for one another…

This man who has walked with me for 32 years now (30 of them as my beloved husband). He surprised me this morning, during our marriage prep talk on families and parenting, with the most beautiful description of our marriage. He simply said “We were made for one another by our Redeemer who wants only the very best for us. No one challenges me to do/be better or loves me deeper than Mary does. No one else but God.”

If you had told me 20 years ago that this moment would be possible between us, I would have laughed you out of the room. We were struggling to even like each other then, both broken by addiction. Him w/porn, me w/food.

I stand next to him today because God is a good and faithful God. He is abundantly generous with His mercy and grace my friends, and He loves us to distraction. He healed us of our addictions and continues to lead us, lighting our way with His Word and the Sacraments.

Jerry and I have faced much in our almost 30 year marriage and there are very few mistakes we have not made. We have cared for a profoundly disabled daughter and ALL the trials that come with such a beautiful burden. We have buried our fathers, buried our daughter and walked our son through fours years of depression and PTSD and so much more. We are broken sinners who just want another chance each day to do/be better. We learned that the greatest gift we could ever give one another was FORGIVENESS!

If you are struggling in your marriage, always remember that you are not alone. God is right there in the middle of the mess just waiting to restore and renew your love for one another. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Just keep striving each day to do your best for one another.

Remember that to walk away is as much of a choice as to stay and fight for one another.

God is good y’all. There is nothing His redeeming love cannot repair. Nothing!

Jerry Don Lenaburg you are a gift to me. I love you now and always. Thank you for choosing me.