My husband and I were married by a fiery pastor with a rippling grey beard who looked everything like I pictured Moses to have looked. He was also a dearly loved mentor, who along with his precious wife, cherished us as a young dreamy eyed couple. A man who never minced words, he spoke Biblical truth with great passion and conviction. Part of his sage advice on our wedding was, “You will only be completely happy when you see to it that the other is truly happy.”

We’ve reminded ourselves of this often over the past 33 years. In times of ease, this was a simple delight. In trials, it was downright tough. But as we’ve traveled through life’s joys and sorrows, we’ve learned over and over the beauty of loving like Christ loved, of “being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose….and in humility counting the other better than yourself.” Such a high standard for loving and serving each other with selflessness, humility, and grace (Philippians 2:1-7).

We’ve struggled and failed often, but over time we’ve learned and grown tremendously. And as we’ve pledged to continually help each other refocus back to the servant love of Christ, we’ve found ourselves growing ever deeper in our love for Him and each other. Though times of suffering have challenged us, the powerful result of clinging to God is we’ve grown all the stronger in faith and love and joy because of the storms.

And our pastor friend proved right. Joy truly increases as we mutually seek for the other’s happiness.