iSpecialist

Mark Merrill

Mark Merrill is the founder and president of Family First, a widely respected national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the family. read bio

23 Things I've Learned in 23 Years of Marriage

I’ve been married for 23 years and have had children for 22 of those years. Here are a few things I’ve learned.

1. Life on earth passes by very quickly. I feel like I was 18 just a few years ago.
2. Children grow up so fast. Is my oldest daughter really graduating from college this year?
3. There are very few things that I really can control and I’ve spent too much time trying to control too many things.
4. I’ve spent too much time obsessing about things.
5. Marriage takes a lot of hard work.
6. How attracted I am to my wife.
7. Raising young children is physically exhausting, but worth it.
8. Raising teenagers is emotionally exhausting, but worth it.
9. How much joy my children bring me.
10. The importance of honoring my mom and dad.
11. How selfish I am.
12. That I’m just one decision away from doing something really foolish.
13. How dangerous my tongue can be.
14. How impatient I can be.
15. The importance of working for eternal rewards. Rewards on earth aren’t worth much.
16. How to trust God in everything.
17. Nothing else is more important than relationships. If it doesn’t have a heartbeat, it’s ultimately not worth much.
18. Giving my children what they need is more important than giving them what they want.
19. The importance of spending time reflecting.
20. Love and joy are not just feelings, they are decisions.
21. I must overcome evil with good.
22. Marriage is not just about happiness; it’s about holiness.
23. Loving God and loving others should be my greatest desire.