It's a Love Story

Psalm 16:6 says, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage."  I have been blessed with Godly parents who love each other, their family, and their Savior.  Here are thoughts I shared at our celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend.

Like many love stories, this one could begin with “Once upon a time.”  This “once-upon-a-time” tale began over fifty years ago.  As is typical, it brought together a handsome young prince and a beautiful young princess.

The plot has had many twists and turns, its share of ups and downs.  He was drafted into the army, they moved far away from family and friends.  But these were no random events, for this story has the perfect author.  God, who drew them to Himself early in their married life, had a plan.  He called Dad to be a preacher and Mom a preacher’s wife.

The chapters have unfolded one by one, bringing the joys of children and family, a church full of people to love, and a host of opportunities to serve their Saviour.  Several chapters chronicle their travels as they marked miles from Chesterfield to Pensacola, Charleston, and the Amish Country of Pennsylvania.

Interspersed among the happy scenes are tear-stained pages with words so difficult to read – a miscarriage, the tragic loss of a sister, later a brother, then parents and dear church members – all gone ahead to heaven before us.

Yet the theme of this story remains constant – love.  I see it in the way he places his hand on hers as they ride down the road in the car.  It’s in her voice as she reminds him – repeatedly – to be careful going down the steps.  For me, this love has always meant security, growing up confident in the knowledge that my parents loved each other and me.

Now I get to live a love story of my own with their example always before me.  In their own book, there are still blank pages with plenty of room to write some more.  The grandchildren are filling those pages up rapidly, yet another continuation of the love that began in Princess Anne County over fifty years ago.

Today we thank God for bringing them together, for shaping their lives to influence so many.  And we celebrate their love story with those magical words that we all like to hear – “and they lived happily ever after.”