A Priceless Example

This Saturday, October 10th, is my parents 40th wedding anniversary. I am very thankful and proud to be able to have the rare experience of celebrating this wonderful event. My parents never gave up, never quit, never walked away, and never stopped loving unconditionally. I know it has not been easy and it has not been without many disagreements. I know that many sacrifices have been made, many prayers lifted up, and many hard times experienced.

What is the secret? Why are so there so may best sellers on the shelves written to tell us how to have that lasting happy marriage? Well, I don’t think they read any of these books, as a matter of fact, I am sure they did not.

My parents are two very different people, different personalities, and almost everything is different. Dad likes it cold, mom likes it hot. Dad likes old cars, mom likes the yard clear of junk! Dad likes big projects, mom hates chaos but loves the end result. Dad loves hammers and machinery, mom does not and prefers things more quiet! How can two totally different people live together “happily” for forty years?

They are both committed to the same God. They serve Him faithfully, together, and never compromise that. My parents do not skip church. They actually love church. They have always lived out the Biblical portrait of marriage. There has never been a time when I did not think they were genuine. Mom never has to ask dad where he is going to be on Sunday morning? Neither of them have ever thrown in the towel, given up, or quit on God. God has been central in their marriage.

In today’s society many husbands are walking out on God, and then they walk out on their wives. Many women quit on God, then marriage becomes more than they can handle. Many husbands and wives wonder why their relationship with each other is in shambles when they have not considered that their relationship with God was in shambles first.

My prayer is that Josh and I will always keep God central in our home and in our marriage. We are only human and therefore without God we are never going to make it. If we lose our commitment to Him we will only lose our commitment to each other a short time later. This doesn’t mean that every marriage that does not have God first is going to end in divorce. It does mean that God is not going to bless and nurture the marriage relationship when He is ignored. Marriage does take three, but His part is the most important element in marriage. I heard at a wedding ceremony a few weeks ago, the minister said, “the closest thing to hell on earth is a bad marriage.”

“Lord, please keep us focused on you. Let me never forget that You come first. Help me understand that marriage is a gift and a blessing in life. I am a helper to my husband and should always seek to serve Josh and love him- expecting nothing back in return. Help me to pray for him, love him, serve him, respect him, listen to him, pray with him, and honor him always. Thank you for my wonderful parents that have laid before me a priceless example.”

I can never thank them or God enough for having my parents still living and still loving. This is a legacy they have left for their children, grandchildren, and great-grand children yet to come. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!