Lookin Good at 37 years!

They were young and full of life when they met at BMA camp oh so many years ago. He was on active duty with the Army and knew that within the next year, he would most likely be headed off to war. Their was only a little gap in his schedule, but it was indeed the hand of God that placed him at that camp, filling in and helping out. At the adult coffee break one night, he spotted her, doing what my mother has continued to do, serving others. Though there are many more details one could expound upon, one need only know that the chase was now on for him. He saw her and pursued her. By Christmas of 1970, the deal was settled with a solitaire diamond ring slipped upon her ring finger. The soon to be groom took his 'Tammy Wynette' home to meet the family and soon the bride to be began to see just what kind of a family she was marrying into. A July wedding was planned. The young 19 year old bride to be continued her classes as a nurse while the 22 year old groom served at Ft. Leonardwood awaiting the day in which Uncle Sam would call him overseas.

The call came but not as the young engaged couple planned. Uncle Sam wanted him and he wanted him right after their planned wedding. Rather than marry and ship off to war a couple of weeks later, they moved the wedding up and were married, 37 years ago today, April 10. Thus, the newlyweds were married three months before the new groom was off to a foreign land ready to wage war pushing papers for Uncle Sam. Though this beginning was not the most desirous of circumstances, their young marriage began a pattern that would lead them through the next 37 years: by faith and trusting God for the next turn.

Throughout the next three and a half decades, this couple walked with each other, walked with God, and led their children into their own walks with God. Their would be the mountain top experiences of five children blessing their home, while in the valley they buried their first son. Their would be the mountain top experience of finishing seminary and getting their first pastorate while in the valley they questioned why God moved them out of their second pastorate so abruptly. Their would be the mountain top experience of four children graduating Bible college while in the valley they adjusted to an empty nest. Their would be the mountaintop experience of holding their first couple grandkids, but in the valley they bid farewell to their grandkids for the next four years while their parents were missionaries overseas. God was faithful to them time and time again as they walked with Him.

As they stand on the cusp of a fourth decade of life together, this observer is overwhelmed at the example that has been laid before him and his sisters. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, this couple has fought together, cried together, and walked romantically hand in hand together for thirty seven years. Where God will lead them in the next few years, only He knows. This is for certain: they will faithfully walk with God following His leading one day at a time.

So, to my parents on this their 37th wedding anniversary, my message is two fold: the first is congratulations on keeping the commitment alive through all of the joys, trials, and tribulations that God has allowed. The second, is thank you for laying out what commitment really is and what the Bible talks about when it speaks of true love. Lookin good at 37 years, Mom and Dad!

With all of My Love,

Your only Son