Today and Always

Every year on our wedding anniversary (April 15th), I am drawn to the simplicity of three words. Three words that changed the course of history for us and began an amazingly incredible journey of twenty seven years.

Today and Always

Three words that changed the course of our lives. Three words that ushered in the beginnings of great mysteries and miracles of a life we never imagined. Three words that have been a constant companion in the deep valleys, the caverns of death, as well as the mountain tops of joy. Three words that have not failed young, tender hearts as they have grown and matured. Three words that have known deep despair, suffocating sorrow, persistent pain, jubilant joy, bountiful blessings, prevailing peace, and God's grace. Three words that began with hope in Jesus. Three words that now find ALL hope in Jesus.

To my beloved husband I say: your servant-leadership, un-wavering love, humility, faithfulness, wisdom, steadfastness - in these and a thousand other ways you show me and point

me to the love of Christ. Your self-sacrificing love towards me gives me a glimpse of Jesus' great love for me. I am continually amazed and blessed by your love even when I love you so incompletely, when selfishness rules my heart and I demand my own way, when I insist on being right, when I fail to encourage you and build you up, when I don't respond in a spirit of love and humility, when I fail to listen with an open heart and mind, when I fail to lovingly communicate with you, when I just out-right fail to be the wife God has called me to be. It's hard to express what I feel ... All I know is you sacrificially love me anyway ...

unconditionally.Truly the mystery and miracle of marriage.

I never dreamed that twenty seven years later my heart would still quicken with the sound of the front door opening signaling my best friend was home from work or that I would still get butterflies in my stomach when your hand clasps mine in the car or on a walk. Or just the warmth that is felt when capturing each other's gaze that makes an ordinary moment extraordinary.

These twenty seven years have been about hope and a joy that is not dependent on circumstances. Not hope in ourselves or hope in the healing of my progressive disease, but hope in Jesus. " And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him." 1 John 4:16

Love from God and my best friend, my beloved, my husband, shows me the continual mystery and miracle of marriage. It leaves me reflecting in awe ... and waiting with great anticipation for the love that will come tomorrow ...

Today and Always

Three words that were engraved inside our wedding rings. Three words that made a covenant between two young hearts, three words that promised no matter how hard life gets this union of marriage was for a lifetime, three words that would become a rally cry when health failed and death lurked, three words that would guide a young couple into midlife and beyond, three words that remind me of another three words ... God is Love.

Twenty seven years later ...To my beloved I say, "I love you ...Today and Always".

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Comments

sandra henry:

Happy anniversary to both of you! God bless you today and always. P.S. Lee, you should write a book and include your posts. You have the gift of writing.

Jane Levin:

Precious friends what a beautiful tribute on your anniversary! Blessings!! May the Lord give you special joy today!

Kimball & Elizabeth:

Amazing proclamation for what is beautiful and good. Happy Anniversary

Margaret McPhee:

How lovely

Connie Hulse :

Steve & Lee, Congratulations and Happy 27th Anniversary! May the Lord continue to bless your marriage & journey through life together..."Today and Always"!

Rebecca M Doty:

Very beautiful. Rebecca Maples Doty