Wedding season is upon us and I will soon find myself watching some of my best friends walk down the aisle. As the second wedding of the year for us took place this past weekend, I couldn’t help but think about our wedding and all the advice people gave us. We even had a book that went with me to each shower and our loved ones wrote down marriage advice for us.
Don’t go to bed angry.
Always kiss each other goodnight.
Communication is key.
Be best friends.
The book is full of amazing advice, but as I sat in the pew this past weekend, the best advice I could think of was not given to me before my wedding. Honestly, the best advice I could give – I discovered as I sat in that pew.
You will go through seasons in your marriage. Never give up, because seasons will change.
Minutes are fleeting, days can be long, months can drag on – but seasons take a little longer. Seasons can push you to your limits, seasons can break you, seasons can mold you and seasons can change you.
Yep that’s right, they can change you. You are not the same person you were the day you got married. We are all constantly growing and changing. & seasons, can completely change us. They can breathe life into us or they can scar us. But take heart, because seasons will change.
It won’t be winter forever.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
You will go through seasons of laughter, seasons of heartbreak, seasons of loss, seasons of trials, seasons of fun, seasons of newness, seasons of grief and so many more. Each of these will change who you are and thus change your marriage. For me, I have recently been going through a season of sadness and have been feeling unsure about what is coming next. But I know that the season will change. Even if you have gone through a year of marriage, it is likely that you have been through a season or two already.
I wish someone would have told me this as I walked down the aisle, but I guess it is just as valuable now that I have learned this lesson. I am so thankful that God revealed this to me this weekend. Now, when days are rough or I feel sadness creeping in, I hear Him whisper, “This is just a season, take heart, it will change. I am molding and shaping you.” And now, in seasons of laughter and joy, I will smile and try to soak in every moment.
But, no matter what season, good or bad, I will thank Him and praise Him for this breathtakingly beautiful life. So, remember…
You will go through seasons in your marriage. Never give up, because seasons will change.
Marquis Clarke
What a great and truthful post. Marriage is so amazing [newlywedof6months] but it also takes work. And even though we are in that newlywed bubble, I know that things won’t always be rosy. Seasons come and go, and it’s important to remember that, especially in the dead of winter!
Marquis Clarke
Love it. And love “be best friends.” My pastor from home always says that in our world today, it’s easy to leave your lover, but it’s never easy to leave your best friend.
Marquis Clarke
Thank you for the wonderful reminder. Have you read The Four Seasons of Marriage by Gary Chapman? I feel like you’d like it! The interesting thing about seasons for me is I usually don’t recognize a season until it’s over.
Marquis Clarke
Amennnn!!! We have experienced this and it is so true.
Marquis Clarke
Great advice! Love it!
Marquis Clarke
Great advice, and so beautifully written! I’ve received so much wedding advice lately, but this one is by far the best I’ve heard.
Marquis Clarke
Such truth my friend! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Being best friends is certainly key to journeying through the seasons of life and marriage together and learning how to love one another and serve the Lord together!
Marquis Clarke
So, so, so true. In life and in marriage!!! Having someone by your side during these seasons is pretty priceless though. 🙂
Marquis Clarke
I love all these advice. When we first got engaged everyone gave us so much advice. Some stuck while others went by the wayside.
Marquis Clarke
I’m just going to keep it simple and say I loved this! Thanks.
gradybird
What an important thing to remember! I love this <3