Glorious Mud

This week Lauren and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  I can honestly say that I love my wife and delight in her more than ever.  She is my best friend and the greatest gift God has given me on this earth.  Many have told me how lucky I am.  And I don't disagree, especially when you mean by lucky what the Psalmist meant by "blessed" - I have received what I have not deserved.  I never imagined as a teenager that my life would be so full and so blessed and I claim no credit for the lucky state in which I find myself.  What little wisdom I have discovered and exercised has been given to me by a gracious God who has protected me from my lack of wisdom more times than I can count or want to know. So, in honor of this Silver Anniversary, I thought I would share a little of the wisdom I have gleaned in 25 years of marriage with young dudes who are just starting their marriage journey.  Everyone likes lists, so I think I will give you 25 points to...

1.  Our marriage is older than we were when we got married. 2.  One of my first "love letters" to Lauren contained this line: "We go together like a buzzard and death." 3.  I realized this year - yes, only this year, after 22 years of marriage - that Lauren has the love language of "gifts." 4.  Love will cost you everything - but it gives you more back. 5.  I am horrible at celebrating things like birthdays and anniversaries. 6.  When we were dating, I wouldn't tell Lauren that I loved her till I knew I wanted to marry her. 7.  On the day I proposed to Lauren, she was planning to break up with me. 8.  I have countless failings, none of which were even hinted at in Lauren's blog post - 22 reasons why I love my husband . 9.  I am humbled and thankful to have a wife who chooses daily to see my strengths instead of focusing on my weaknesses. 10.  Lauren is my best friend and God's greatest gift to me.  I love and enjoy Lau...