1975

Ruth 1:16

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

It was a beautiful spring day way back in 1975. Sunny, hot, not a cloud in the sky, perfect for a wedding. The bride and groom were as prepared as anyone really is for this life-changing event. They were young, in love and looked as perfect as any two people could as they faced their day.

They moved into their apartment with great expectations that life would be perfect, now that they were facing it together. It was summer vacation for him, a school teacher. She was laid off, so they had their entire summer together to set up house. They decorated, arranged and re-arranged furniture, tried new recipes and explored their new neighborhood. They enjoyed getting to know each other. They were so in love!

Too soon fall was approaching. He worked in a district that never had a strike…till that year! Her unemployment was running out. Their first challenge was paying bills with little to no income. The Lord provided meals from the gardens of friends, take-home food from parents when they went there for dinner Sunday. Miraculously, bills all got paid, they never really figured out how it happened. Soon teachers were back to work and the bride got a job as a teacher-aid in a day care.

A year or so later, great news exploded in their home…a baby was on the way! The news filled their hearts with joy, and dreams for their little one. Their joy was short lived as the pain she had one day gave way to a spontaneous abortion! She was hospitalized, he cried! While he was very upset about loosing their baby, he was devastated about the prospect of loosing her!

They went on together, not sure if a baby would be a reality for them, but they would face it together. They only waited six months for the new miraculous news, and this time, the news of another pregnancy grew into a perfect boy!

By now they had bought a fixer-upper home of their own and enjoyed painting, papering, cleaning and getting the nursery just right for their little prince. God was good to them, and even though another miscarriage would again crush their dreams, another boy came along soon afterward. Two boys, one yard, one dog, one cat, one joyful family of love, and a fun place to play and run and grow!

There would be many more hurdles for this couple to navigate. Another move, or two, a flood, death of 2 parents, family problems, money problems, health problems. Every hurdle was successfully jumped, with the Lord’s help. Each one the couple was a little closer, a little wiser, and a little more prepared to face the next one.

Many years and moments have transpired since that wedding day, June 14, 1975. The boys are grown and have their own families and children. The couple still faces the hurdles that still come, together. The joys, however, drown out the sorrow, it’s a good life.

So, this year they will face new joys! Milestones of their grandchildren! Their first is graduating from high school and she is planning a career in teaching. The second in going into middle school and he loves math and science. The third is going into second grade and is a thinker, and the youngest is heading off to Kindergarten and has the only sports ability among them.

This family is probably not so different from many families. When you begin the journey, it often feels overwhelming. It may seem like the struggle it to great, we will never make it! Yet, you will! Our Lord never leaves us, always walks beside us, and in the darkest times, He shines His light on our path so we can see the next step.

I look around at other couples, some have had it easier, some way harder. Always the common core of all who stick together, is the commitment they have to each other. The verse above from Ruth refers to the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The bottom line is the same…commitment. That kind of commitment takes making a head choice that overrides a heart emotion. Emotions change day to day with each circumstance they face. Commitment stays when everyone else runs.

If you have not guessed already, I am talking about my own marriage. My husband and I celebrated our 46th wedding Anniversary yesterday. I just thank the Lord every day for a marriage that has stood the test of time. A marriage with Christ at the center, and His will our greatest desire. I love you Ron!