Today is Mama & Papa’s wedding anniversary.  Since they were married in 1956, this would have been a big one to celebrate: 60 years!!  The fact that they shared 58 years together before Papa passed is nothing short of a miracle of love and God’s grace (when the docs all said Papa wouldn’t make it to 65, then 70, and then 80 — he was 83 when he passed.)

Here they are celebrating their 50th (notice the 50 red roses in the background that Papa asked the anniversary elf to procure for his beloved.  It was no small feat transporting the huge arrangement home when it took up half the car!)

Mama was once asked why she stayed with Papa through all his years of physical challenges.  Her reply?  “I made a vow.”

…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do us part…

Oh, how they loved each other! How they cherished one another… through good times & challenging times, including 30+ years of Papa’s quadriplegia AND raising five children (not sure which was more challenging! : )

Their love for God powered their love for each other, and God’s love in them powered their love for us and so many.  What a testimony of faithfulness and faith-filled-ness…

We’re not talking syrupy sweet sentiment here, but commitment to receive love & be love (even when the going got tough) with God’s kind of love that empowers and empassions others…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails…”  (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

On this Lenten Thursday, are we committed to this kind of love? the love of Christ that empowers and empassions us to hope, to trust, to protect, to persevere?

grace, peace & powerful love

Virginia : )