This Saturday we celebrate my parents 50 year anniversary! 50 years of love! 50 years of serving! But as great as I do think they both are, I know it takes lots of “bearing with one another in love” to make it to a 50th anniversary. If the world took that commandment more seriously, many, many more marriages would go the distance.
As I sat down to write this quick blog I began to reminisce. I cherish the love stories of them and my grandparents. They make me smile big and still feel giddy. I think about how they grew up together and were always friends and partners . This makes their two lives joined as one that much more beautiful! And what a gift from Daddy God that I witnessed their love and marriage first hand! Their love for the Lord and each other taught me how to fight for my family and not with my family! It taught me endurance. It taught me compassion. It taught me how to forgive. It taught me how to hope. It taught me faith. It taught me Agape Love!
They taught me that relationships are investments. It is a choice to stay connected to each other. That if it doesn’t matter 100 years from now don’t let it matter today. (You should read their devotional Love Works Always- it is awesome- and full of life nuggets)
Their devotion to Father God and each other exemplifies the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love! They have always honored and served Jesus, each other and all those around them with amazing humility and strength. They live out the Ephesians 4:29-32 directives. They show us that Love is an action word.
Their love is tangible. Their presence brings comfort and security. It also brings great joy and faith too! And their prayers- well I can just say that I am so thankful for them.
For over 40 years I have not only heard them but I have seen them live out love! They let the Word of God be the final authority! They aren’t moved by fickle feelings. They are Spirit led and Word fed! Their lives are a light house of God’s love! And the best is yet to come.
We do celebrate their beautiful love story on December 19th (actual anniversary date) but everyday God’s love through them touches and changes lives! I am saying to them- “Thank you for saying yes to Jesus! Thank you for saying yes to each other- over and over again”!
They know that “Love Works Always”!
Allison Bramlett 