Some days stand out above others. For me, January 31 holds precious memories. It was on that day, 50 years ago that my husband asked me to be his wife. As I look back on the past 50 years, we have had good times and some difficult times. But with the perspective of time, it is easy to spot one characteristic that is noticeable. It is faithfulness.
The World Book Dictionary defines faithful as 1) being worthy of trust; doing one’s duty; keeping one’s promise; loyal 2) true to fact; accurate.
In my hopes for marrying, I wanted to find someone who loved the Lord, who was a good worker, one who was trustworthy and who valued and loved me. I placed my request before the Lord in prayer. He knew I loved Him and wanted to have a husband and family, too. So I placed my trust in the Lord and busied myself by serving Him.
I heard my husband’s name mentioned amongst my friends, but I had not met him. However, his reputation went before him and was worthy of respect. So I expected that we might have a good working relationship. The day we met, his electric blue eyes made a colorful impression on me.
After two and a half years of our acquaintance, he popped the question.
On our wedding day, we made promises to each other. Among other things he vowed before God and men, “God has given me a desire for you as the one woman I want to spend my life learning to love more and more deeply. There will be times when you need to be comforted and encouraged, I will comfort and encourage you then. There will be times when you need someone to listen to your thoughts and emotions. I will eagerly listen with all my heart to all that is in yours. There will be times when you experience joy and happiness, I will count it a privilege to share that joy with you. There will be times when you need guidance and direction. I will eagerly provide every avenue of direction that I can.”
I, in turn, vowed to God and my husband, “I am delighted that God has given you a love for me. You are a man that I respect very much. To me you are the most important man in the world. I feel safe with you and I am confident in your judgment. I trust you. And I will follow you wherever you go, I will not leave you or forsake you. I will love you and I will cherish you and today I devote myself to serve you and to help you in every way that I can. I will comfort you, I will care for you, and I will keep myself for you alone all the days of my life.”
As the years have come and gone, I have reflected on the heritage we both have had. Our parents both reached 60 years of marriage. My paternal and maternal grandparents celebrated their golden anniversaries.
We can attest to God’s faithfulness in helping us persevere in our relationship. Marriage can be hard sometimes. But through the years, we have learned to give grace to each other, to forbear and to walk in faithfulness to Him and each other.
The Bible verse that has challenged and encouraged us is Romans 15:5, 6.
“May the God of steadfastness and encourage grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Cake
1 package chocolate cake mix
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cup water
2 eggs
1 package instant chocolate pudding
1 cup chocolate chips (6 ounce size)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour oil into a 13x9x2 inch pan. Tilt pan till bottom is covered with oil. Put remaining ingredients into pan. Stir with a fork or spoon till blended (about 2 minutes.) Scrape sides and bottom and spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes till toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Frost with chocolate frosting.
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