United as One

I enjoy chatting with my husband James, both listening and talking. Recently, I suddenly asked him, "James, do you understand me?" He replied, "I'm still getting to know you." I continued, "But I thought you understood me very well." He added, "But that doesn't mean I can always read your mind, because you're so unpredictable."

Another day, I asked him, "What do you like most about our marriage?" He blurted out, "Adventure." Then he paused, and seriously asked himself, "What do I like most about our marriage?" Finally, he answered thoughtfully, "You. Because without you, we would have no marriage."

First Conflict Occurred Over Squeezing Toothpaste

My whirlwind marriage to James was somewhat influenced by his parents. The first time we met, they showed up hand-in-hand. Their family of six were chatting and laughing, embracing and hugging, naturally radiating love and warmth. This made me, a lonely college student, yearn for a happy family. We married after dating for only a few months. At the time, I thought our love would last forever, and we would live happily ever after.

To my surprise, after getting married, James and I had our first argument over squeezing toothpaste. This might be a common pattern in many families, but for me, it marked the beginning of my shattered dreams. It turned out our personalities weren't entirely compatible; we had different backgrounds, interests, and pace of life. We were simply attracted to each other because of our differences. Initially, James was very accommodating, and I was very gentle with him, but in reality, we were both strong-willed. In the early years of our marriage, we experienced both wonderful and terrible times. Arguments about life direction and raising our son led to repeated disappointments as neither of us was willing to compromise.

He couldn't stand my temper tantrums. From his perspective, he couldn't understand the insecurity and fear I felt because of my family background. He tried to make me happy, but I was hard to please. I couldn't stand his reasoning, so he would remain silent, trying to ease the conflict, but I felt he was ignoring me. I accused him of not caring about me, while telling myself it wasn't worth arguing with him. He was no longer the graduate student who would take time to drive me around or sit down and chat with me. "Living happily ever after" wasn't as simple as the world promised; it was like a fading dream, and hope was fading. I needed to "take care" of myself and plan for my future by putting my energy into work.

Rebuilding Marriage on Solid Rock

Thank God we didn't remain in despair. Thirteen years into our marriage, I met Jesus, realized I was a sinner, repented, and came to Christ, experiencing God's unconditional love and acceptance. After knowing Christ, I understood that Jesus was my "closest friend," and realized that my expectation that James would meet all my needs put him in a dilemma. Thank God, within just a few years, my husband and son also came to faith, and I now understand how extraordinary it was that James had remained steadfast in staying with me.

When Jesus Christ entered our lives, everything changed. It wasn't just a change in behavior, but a change in our hearts. We stopped fighting with one another and began to learn how to submit to Him. We began to rebuild our marriages on solid rock, not just based on feelings. When Jesus Christ entered our families, the entire trajectory changed. We not only found new interests and directions, but also new paths. By God's grace, we embarked on a long, beautiful, and arduous journey of learning to understand the true meaning of love and to live out love in Christ:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Redefining Happiness and Being Together

Even when we're busy and tired, we still make time to sit down, even if it's just for 5 to 15 minutes. It's not just about chatting, but about listening to each other and cherishing the precious time we spend together. I'm so grateful that James makes time for me. When he's too busy, I no longer get angry, but pray for him because I know he's busy and tired too. We support each other, just like the song "You Raise Me Up" says, "Until you come and sit awhile with me."

"But with God all things are possible." God shows us that a happy marriage is not because the two people are perfect, but because they are united and live in Christ. We have redefined "to live happily ever after" and true joy comes from a life built on the rock of Christ, which stands firm even in the fiercest storms. We hope that our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren will see not just a long marriage, but a long period of submission moving in the same direction following Christ.

We had a simple 50th wedding anniversary celebration with our family and offered our praise to God. In a world where people give up at the first sign of trouble, when two people decide to stay together "through thick and thin," the Lord shows us His grace and mercy. When our hearts turn, we realize that Christ is the bond that holds us together.

Over the past two or three years, my health has presented many challenges. Every day, whether visiting the doctor or spending a quiet afternoon, we say, "I trust in Him," and we see God manifesting His presence more clearly. Our faithfulness is not measured by how much we can do, but by how much we trust. We trust in a God who walks with us through our suffering. Dear Lord! Thank You for showing us that although our strength is little, You are enough.

While in jail, the apostle Paul wrote these words, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

New Year's Hope and Comfort

"What are your plans for the New Year?" This is a common question, but for someone over seventy years old suffering from a chronic illness, it's not an easy question to answer. It's not that I don't believe in plans, it's just that I've experienced too many unexpected things, making it difficult to make plans now. I just want to live each day well, in the presence of the Lord.

Reflecting on God's love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness, I plan to begin a new way of life. I pray that in the new year, I will not be defined by my physical ailments, but by the sweetness of God's Holy Spirit. My Heavenly Father loves me so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save me! Please allow me to share with You the comfort, joy, and hope that God has given me in the new year.

Comforted by God who Sustains

God has said, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (Isaiah 46:4)

After retiring and moving, I suddenly fell ill and remained sick for almost three years, a period that shocked and disheartened me. However, what I have learned from this experience is that I no longer need to "gather" my strength; now, it is only God who sustains me. I have accepted God's sovereignty and seen His goodness and love in my situation. I pray that in the new year, we can all draw closer to our Lord and rely on Him completely in all things, big and small.

Joyful as a Child of God

One day, instead of asking me to watch videos, play games, or tell stories as usual, my six-year-old granddaughter asked, "NaiNai, may I read to you?" I thought I misheard, because not long ago she had said she couldn't read and always needed me to read to her. "You want to read to me, right?" "Yes, because I've never read to you before." I was naturally very happy to hear this, because she had only been in first grade for a few months!

Although I often teach others that "being" is more important than "doing," I myself am still unconsciously focusing on work. I am grateful that I can continue writing even when my efficiency is extremely low, and I thank the readers who have written to encourage me to share my testimonies. Although I don't have the energy to devote to my family, my value lies in companionship and listening, not in efficiency of work. I pray that God will make joy the guiding principle of my life; I pray that the Lord Jesus will help you and me remember that Christian joy is related to "whom we belong to," not to what we do.

Hopeful with Inner Renewal

The Bible delivers a powerful declaration: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16). To my surprise, my heart and mind have undergone many changes in the past few years. I have gained a deeper understanding and closer relationship with God, others, and myself.

I pray that the new year will bring about an inside out "new creation" who is living "in Christ" at all times. Regardless of physical condition, may we possess spiritual vitality, abundant mental energy, and unwavering willpower.

Grateful for Encouragement and Support

Without the devoted care of my family, friends, medical staff, and especially my husband, I simply could not have survived the past few years. Sometimes, I felt sad because of my illness, feeling like I couldn't help and was only a burden to my husband, son, and daughter-in-law. But I know they have always love me, no matter what I am like. Nevertheless, words alone cannot express my gratitude to them. In fact, their faith in the Lord, their love, and their joy have truly given me immense strength. I would like to dedicate a prayer I read, the gist of which is as follows, to them and to caregivers worldwide:

Heavenly Father, please grant your servants divine patience and emotional resilience. When overwhelmed, remind us that we need not be sources of strength, but simply vessels through which your power flows. Grant us discernment and wisdom. In moments of silence, grant our hearts rest, and may your peace guard us in the new year. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

In the new year, whatever we face, let us remember that God has His plan and purpose for our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)