The challenges and lessons of nearly three decades of marriage came to the fore as Pastor (Mrs.) Mary Kristilere presented two books on her 29th wedding anniversary thanksgiving with Rev. Israel Kristilere held at Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos.

The books, Owning Your Season, a devotional for singles, and Your Daily Inspirational Dose, were inspired by her personal experiences, spiritual reflections and the realities of marriage.

In her welcome address, Pastor Kristilere expressed gratitude to God for sustaining their union, she noted that although people now see peace and stability in their home, the early years of their marriage were marked by intense struggles.

“My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude to God, not because our journey was smooth, but because God has been faithful,” she said.

According to her, the first 10 to 15 years of their marriage were particularly challenging, as they struggled with communication, misunderstandings and unmet expectations.

“In those early years, conflict felt very constant. We misunderstood each other often. There were moments of silence that felt heavy and moments of frustration we wished we could take back,” she recalled.

She said those difficult seasons tested their commitment and emotional strength, but their faith and willingness to forgive helped them remain together.

“One of the hardest lessons God taught us was forgiveness—real forgiveness, daily forgiveness. Many times we forgave while we were still healing. But every act of forgiveness loosened bitterness and made room for God’s peace,” she said.

Kristilere explained that the experiences of waiting, personal growth and perseverance also shaped her journey as a writer.She disclosed that the idea to write a book came 10 years ago but that the process of completing them was repeatedly delayed by life’s challenges and self-doubt.

“There were times I felt life was heavier than the vision. Sometimes I wondered whether I was even sufficient to write the books,” she said.

However, she noted that encouragement from her husband and others helped her stay committed to the vision until the books were eventually completed.

Speaking on the purpose of Owning Your Season, she said the book was written to guide singles who struggle with identity and purpose while waiting for marriage.

She observed that many young people mistakenly tie their sense of worth and fulfilment solely to marriage, leaving them idle while waiting for it to happen.

“I discovered that many singles put their lives on hold because they believe their purpose begins only after marriage. This book is to help them understand their identity and purpose in God even while single,” she said.

Kristilere added that the second book, Your Daily Inspirational Dose, was inspired by the short inspirational messages she began sharing on social media in 2016.

She said the impact of the messages became evident when people began sharing testimonies of how the posts encouraged them through difficult moments.

“One of the most defining moments was when a woman told me she was about to take her life but changed her mind after reading one of the posts. That experience made me realise the messages needed to reach more people beyond social media,” she said.

Her husband, Rev. Israel Kristilere, also acknowledged that the early years of their marriage required patience, adjustments and deliberate effort.

He advised couples to understand that a successful marriage does not happen by chance but through commitment, forgiveness and consistent effort.