This past weekend marked a milestone for my husband’s parents.

50 GOLDEN YEARS OF MARRIAGE.

That’s one half of a century in devoting oneself to another selflessly just as Christ does for us, the Church. 

With Jesus at the center of it all, they have served faithfully by showing hospitality and generosity to countless, raising their boys to men, and sacrificially caring for one another … for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.

What a privilege and honor for us as children and grandchildren to celebrate our parents! At times like this, one can’t help but wonder how can such a milestone be achieved?

As I have watched my husband’s parents over the past decades, the answer is simple and yet most profoundly this: by walking in God’s enduring love.

The best definitions of such love are found in the Bible:
“Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 MSG)

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is
divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.”
(Galatians 5:22-23 TPT)

I pray that this would inspire you, my Friend. May the abiding love of God be at the core of our interactions with those around us.
~Joyce