Porcelain blessings

     Some anniversaries get cool designations, like “silver” or “gold” or “diamond.”  The first and fifth anniversaries are notable, and even 10 years gets to be “tin.”  But 18 years is the big porcelain anniversary! (at least according to Wikipedia)  The porcelain anniversary doesn’t get the attention other anniversaries get.  You never hear someone say, “So how was that porcelain anniversary cruise?”  or “I saw in the church bulletin that you just celebrated your porcelain anniversary.  What a milestone!”  Even the designation, porcelain, is a bit problematic for me.  I’m sure there are some nice, beautiful things made out of porcelain, but I always think about those creepy dolls that usually wind up in scary movies.

     Well, today, September 7, 2014, is my and Lisa’s porcelain anniversary, and I want to redeem the porcelain anniversary by sharing 18 things that have made the last eighteen years a porcelain blessing.

1. Never forget, your love for God is best evidenced by your love for your mate.
2. Pray with each other, not just for each other.
3. Listen attentively.
4. Laugh together often (and make sure you’re laughing with each other, not at each other).
5. The more you laugh together, the easier it is to get past disagreements.
6. Complement each other often.
7. Don’t get so caught up in the “big events” in life that you miss out on the daily joys your marriage brings.
8. Forgive freely.
9. The greatest gift we can give our children is to love each other.
10. Many things will try to get my attention, but none of them are more important than my spouse.
11. Tend to each other’s spiritual health.
12. Let home always be a safe refuge.
13. Serve your mate joyfully, even when the service is unpleasant.
14. Pleasant surprises are always nice.
15. Share frequently and freely in each other’s lives.
16. Try new things together.
17. Never underestimate “the power of play” in your marriage.
18. You can never say “I love you” too much.

Certainly there are a lot more things I've learned in 18 years, but if we tend to the basics, the rest usually falls in place.

     It’s great to celebrate the “big” anniversaries in a big way, but there is no such thing as a throw-away anniversary.  You don’t have to take a trip or buy expensive gifts to recognize the “porcelain blessings” that God gives you in marriage.

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