It really is hard to believe that I got married 30 years ago. It is a very strange feeling. Inside we feel young but on the outside we are getting on!
9th August 1986, Mike & I rose early and met at a small restaurant in Golden Acre for breakfast! Yes, we did. We saw each other early on our wedding day. After breakfast, we kissed and said, “See you at the alter!”
I walked down the aisle with my Dad on my arm, at Cape Town Baptist Church and at about 2-30pm, we said, “I do!” THIRTY years have passed. That’s 10958 days (including 7 leap year days!) – 262 992 hours. We can confidently say that there has not been a day or an hour that we have regretted our decision. To God Be The Glory.
I think if I knew on 9th August 1986 what I know now, I would have bolted down that aisle and say, “where do I sign? where do I sign?”
Mike has treated me exceedingly well. 30 things he has done right:
1. His most important relationship is not with me but rather with God.
2. The Bible is the basis for our life together. He trusts & lives by God’s Word and knows it well.
3. He loves and accepts me unconditionally.
4. He shares the same financial values as I do, including the importance of tithing. He laughingly says what’s his is mine and what’s mine is mine. He understands everything we have comes from God. We are stewards of our possessions and income and talents.
5. He wants what’s best for me.
6. He is committed to me.
7. He makes me laugh.
8. He encourages me often.
9. He always resolves conflict as quickly as possible.
10. He apologises when things go wrong.
11. He respects my talents and gifts, desires and dreams.
12. He always misses me if I am away – which I seldom am!
13. He is happy to compromise.
14. He often puts me first.
15. He appreciates me.
16. He says kind words to me – and gives me lots of affirmation, regularly, in fact, daily . He constantly builds me up.
17. He doesn’t criticise me.
18. He always give thanks to God together for the food we eat.
19. He consistently and intentionally valued and honoured his parents.
20. From when they were very young, he committed our children entirely to God, asking Him to be responsible for their spiritual well-being.
21. He likes spending time with me.
22. He always wants to do what is right.
23. He is happy when I am happy.
24. He is my best friend & biggest fan.
25. He has made sacrifices for me.
26. He is flexible, understanding seasons & circumstances change.
27. He has always taken the lead as the spiritual head of our marriage and our home.
28. He has always been a man of integrity and honesty.
29. He acknowledges that God is the Beginning and End of our marriage.
Over the years, I have added to this list, so the one for this year, that I’m surprised I haven’t put in before is:
30. He listens to me.
Mike is not perfect, by the way, but he’s perfect for me!
It is our testimony that God has done all of this. He has fulfilled all that we requested of Him on our wedding day. Nothing of these attributes are to our credit at all. They are a gift from God that we daily enjoy. The Bible verse for our marriage together has always been,
Psalm 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they that build it labour in vain”. (Psalm 127:1)
This is our testimony. It is true. We are the happy recipients.
To God be the glory.
We are here for a couple of nights to celebrate!
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
