The Hidden Success: Reflecting on 34 Years of Faithful Love

If you were to walk through my home, you would see our walls covered in love. There are large, beautiful portraits of our children—graduation photos, school smiles, and those precious toddler years where everything felt so new.

But recently, I noticed something that made me pause. Among all those big pictures of the people we’ve poured our lives into, there is only one very small photo of my husband and me. And even in that one, we aren't alone; we are tucked in with both sides of our extended family.

I looked at my husband recently and said, "Our marriage is a success, and yet, we don’t celebrate it on these walls."

This August, we will have been married for 34 years. In a world that often gives up when things get difficult, we are still here. We are still together.

Going Against the Grain

Our journey wasn't an easy "happily ever after." From the beginning, we faced significant opposition. As a mixed-culture couple—me being Indian and him being English—there were voices that didn't understand our union. Because we didn't follow the expected path of a traditional Catholic wedding, we went against the grain of what was "proper."

We chose a path of faith that felt true to us, but it came with a cost. We had to decide, every single day, that our covenant was worth the struggle.

The Interwoven Life

In my recent creative study of Matthew 19, I found myself painting flowing, overlapping lines to represent marriage. It’s not just two people standing side by side; it’s two lives becoming completely interwoven.

It reminded me that a successful marriage isn't always loud or "crystal clear" from the outside. Often, it’s a quiet, steady promise that holds through the seasons of grief, stress, and raising a family. It’s about being "joined together" in a way that creates a safe environment for others to grow.

A Mother’s Prayer for Belonging

We brought our children up in the Christian faith, longing for them to know the same peace we’ve found in Jesus. While they have wandered from that path for now, my heart’s deepest prayer is for their return.

I long for them to know Jesus personally—not just as a religion, but as a place of true belonging. I pray they would want to serve Him, not out of obligation, but because they’ve experienced His "mess-into-a-message" kind of grace for themselves.

The Invitation to Build Gently

Maybe you don’t have a "big picture" of your successes on the wall either. Maybe your life feels a bit messy or your family doesn't look exactly how you hoped it would right now.

But remember: God doesn’t ask us to build "perfect" lives. He invites us to build gentle ones. Lives where love is steady, where grace is visible, and where we keep showing up as our authentic selves.

Reflective Questions for Your Heart

• Where is God inviting you to celebrate a "hidden success" in your life that you’ve been overlooking?

• What "sharp edges" in your relationships is He asking you to soften with a little more grace and patience today?

• Who are you currently "interweaving" your life with, and how can you create a space of belonging for them today?

Are you ready to stop striving and start simply being in His presence? If you want to experience a 10-minute rhythm that calms your heart and refocuses your soul, I’d love for you to join me in the Doodle with God Experience.

Start your 10-minute journey to peace for just $7 https://creativesoulspace.com/quiet

But whether you join or not, my hope is that you leave this knowing:

God desires relationship with you.
And His presence is full of joy.

Let's Stay Connected

I'd love to hear from you!

• What is God refining in you right now?

• Have you tried Bible journaling before?

• What's one "old thing" you're ready to let go of?

Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram [@creativityreleased] — I read every message, and I'd be honored to pray for you.

And if you want more meditative Bible journaling videos, creative devotionals, and inspiration for your faith journey,subscribe to my YouTube channeland let's create together.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for trusting God in the fire.

You're being refined for something beautiful.

🧰 Tools I Love (Optional for Your Quiet Time)

You don’t need any fancy tools, but if you want to enhance your creative journaling time, these are my personal favourites:

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• Derwent Inktense Watercolour Pencils (Set of 36)
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