We celebrated our Silver Wedding at the end of September.
On the day itself we had a day out in Oxford – somewhere we always enjoy visiting. We found a nice restaurant on the river and had a lovely lunch. As we were leaving, we got talking to the owner and we said it was our silver wedding. And she said “Wow. That’s an amazing achievement. Not many people get that far nowadays.”
I was quite taken aback. I don’t think we regard it as an amazing achievement. We’ve not consciously worked at our marriage to make it last. It’s just happened. And it’s not as if it has all been smooth. It hasn’t but the support we get from each other has helped us both to cope with the things life throws at us.
For what it is worth, of our friends and family who have successful and long lasting marriages, most (though not all) are Christians. And I feel that is important. Bringing Christian values in to a marriage (love, forgiveness, compassion, hope to name but four) must all contribute to the success of the marriage. That’s not to say that all Christians who marry will have successful marriages, and it is possible to have a successful marriage of course that is not founded on the Christian faith. But it seems to me that a marriage founded on faith will be stronger for it. And will be able to withstand the storms of life better.
27 years ago we attended the wedding of friends (who are still married). One of the hymns they sang at the wedding was the Boys Brigade hymn “Will you anchor hold in the storms of life”. I remember one or two people saying at the time it was an odd choice for a wedding hymn but actually I think it is very good
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Refrain
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
Here’s to the next 25!
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