twenty-six years of love and blessings

Today is my parents' twenty-sixth wedding anniversary.

I am so thankful for them and so proud of them. In a world where divorce is common--practically expected--after just a few years of marriage, where infidelity is no longer a rarity, where adultery is acceptable, these two have made it twenty-six years with none of that. Over a quarter century with just each other, and no one else, EVER.

That's impressive.

They'll tell you right away, though, that it's because of grace, and because of God. They don't claim credit for themselves, although they could. This marriage is based on and centered around Jesus Christ, and that's what makes it work. They "submit to one another out of reverence to Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).

They have learned the value of forgiveness. Of admitting when they're wrong, and graciously accepting apologies. They've learned how to be a team, to work together in everything. They've learned how to ask for help when they need it, and they've learned so much that they are able to give a lot of help to others.

These two have learned how to be great parents. Through practice, patience, and prayer they have and are still raising three children to love God, love each other, and love others, besides teaching them a lot of other things.

They constantly point others--especially their children and family--to Jesus. He's the reason for everything they do, and he is the source of everything they are. Without faith in him, their marriage would not be what it is.

They have built a life together, a family, a home, all on the solid rock of Christ. And a home with Christ as its cornerstone is solid and will not fall.

They are a shining example to their children and to many others of what a Christ-centered marriage can and should look like. No, they're not perfect, but they follow the Perfect One, and that's what matters.

So today, and every day, thank you, Mom and Dad, for loving each other--for loving me and my siblings--for setting an example of what a Godly marriage should be. I hope and pray that Joshua and I will be able to leave the same legacy and set the same example you have.

I am so thankful for you both. Happy anniversary!

Linking with: black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, There's Just One Mommy

By God's Grace: Twenty-Five Years of Marriage

Today is my parents'

Twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

I can't tell you how happy I am, how proud, how thankful and how blessed.

In Duluth, MN, July 2009

 My parents have been so blessed in their marriage, and they have been an incredible blessing to many people in the last twenty-five years.

They both serve in church ministry (my dad professionally, my mom on a volunteer basis) and they've both been working in marriage ministry at their church for several years now--encouraging and teaching other couples.  Because my parents know how to do marriage right.

It's by the grace of God.  It's with the love of God--not love that comes from my mom and dad.

They have relied on God constantly throughout their lives, and their marriage is no different.

They trust in his grace and forgiveness.  They show the love of God to each other every day.

They have learned (and, as they'll tell you, are still learning) how to have a marriage that honors God.

They are my heroes, my examples, and I know Joshua and I will be like them someday.

(Because our marriage is based on the very same things.)

I'm sorry this didn't turn out.  It's a high-resolution picture that doesn't upload well.

Today, I thank God for my parents and the incredible marriage he has given them.

I thank God for his grace, love, and salvation, which have made my parents' lives and their marriage the wonderful things they are.

Congratulations, Mom and Dad!  Here's to the next twenty-five years...and even more. :)

I love you both!

Linking up: To Love, Honor and Vacuum

One Year

One year ago today,

we made promises to each other and to God...

And exchanged these...

And asked God's blessing on our marriage...

To become who we are today:

married-one-year

husband and wife

best friends

lifetime partners

a team to serve God

lovers for eternity.

I could not have imagined the sorrows and the joys,

the incredible blessings,

the hard things and the easy,

the amazing life that God would give us

in just this first year.

When people ask how married life is, I tell them,

"It's the hardest and the best thing I've ever done."

Nope, marriage isn't easy.

But it is good.

And it is so worth all the struggles

for the countless moments of happiness

that result from working hard

and especially from God's grace to us.

I love my husband more now

than I thought would be possible a year ago.

And I know

that with God continuing to bless, keep, and teach us,

the love between my husband and me

will keep growing every day.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called

children of God!

...Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God,

because God is love."

-1 John 3:1; 4:7-8

I apologize for the poor picture quality...my computer doesn't like uploading the high-quality photos our photographer took!

Lessons from Ivy