Sandpaper & Polish: Reflecting on a 46 year Marriage

I wasn't going to even write an anniversary blog this year ... I'm tired, blank, with nothing new to say. I merely posted our picture on facebook, thanking God for the godly man He gave me, calling it an "anniversary."

Then it came -- a realization as I was praying this morning, this day that commemorates that life-changing commitment 46 years ago. 

Lord,
You have used John and me as Your Sandpaper in each other's lives, haven't You? How sneaky! But how clever of You!
Our marriage was your "trick" (as one author calls it) to get Your job done in our lives.
An only child (John) marrying a first born (me) -- Yikes! You gave John the "sibling" he never had to knock him off his "only child throne." And you gave this "boss of the mob" (as my mom called her first-born of seven) a partner who resists being told what to do, when, and how. Wow! No wonder the "fireworks at times."
But are we ready for polishing yet? How naive of me!
There's more sanding to do, isn't there?
Thank you for it all. The good, the hard, and everything in between. Because it's all good, because YOU are in control.
Thank you, Lord.
And would You give us a few more anniversaries, so we can see if we can graduate to the polishing phase while on this earth?
Ok, maybe not ... and that's fine if You are in it all!
Amen.

PS  You may enjoy our anniversary blog posts from the last five years (each year unique with God's grace): click HERE