15 Comments
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Jordan Marshall's avatar

This reality of marriage is so much richer than the romantic love our culture sells. Thank you for writing!

Julie's avatar

Beautiful truth. Thank you. My husband and I were married over 55 years before he went to be with the Lord. It was mercy all the way.

Jen Pollock Michel's avatar

What a witness! Thank you, Julie!

Dorothy Littell Greco's avatar

Thanks for this. I was just talking to a friend who's dating about the how do you know question and the willingness to change and grow was certainly at the top of the list.

Jen Pollock Michel's avatar

So glad to hear that feels right to you, too!

Drew Brown's avatar

I’m getting married in a few months and am grateful for God’s provision, lovely community, and these words. Thank you for sharing!

Jen Pollock Michel's avatar

So many blessings for you and your future wife, as you set out on the adventure!

Julie's avatar

Just celebrated 25 years. All I can say is grace, grace, and more of God’s grace. Not sure where we would be without it.

Thank you for your encouragement with this post, Jen.

Jen Pollock Michel's avatar

Grace, grace, God's grace!

Ann Gemmel's avatar

Jen - this is so beautiful. Your words spur me on in my role as mentor and friend to many young adults. I will be sharing your wise & beautiful insights on the long term commitment of effort to marriage with each of my 5 adult sons and daughter - so far married 9,13, 10, 2 and 7 years respectively. Thank you for such a powerful reflection!

Jen Pollock Michel's avatar

I’m so glad you found it helpful!

Heidi Breton Books's avatar

In marriage, these are the skills of bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. - love this!!!

Cathy Smith's avatar

Good advice!

Loren Warnemuende's avatar

These words are so important! I’m at a similar place in life, thirty years in on marriage and lots of life experience, and I’m realizing more and more how vital it is to be there for future generations. We don’t have all the answers, but we do have Christ, a constant friend and helper.