Happy Birthday, Mary!

Today is one of those days when I get to celebrate two marvelous things. First, I celebrate another year with Mary as she marks her birthday. More importantly, however, I celebrate all the incredible memories we have shared through the better part of more than two-thirds of our lifetime! I can honestly say that I don’t know how it happened so quickly. As I thought about what I might say that I haven’t already said during the fourteen years I have been doing Morning Devotionals in regard to her inspiration and encouragement, my thoughts drifted to the single verse found in the final chapter of Proverbs. “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:29 ESV). I looked up the word “excellently” and found a simple definition: “very well.” That seemed to fall far short of what I have experienced. So, I went a bit further and looked for possible synonyms. The thesaurus listed the following: admirably, distinctively, divinely, exquisitely, extremely well, famously, fine, flawlessly, incomparably, ingeniously, magnificently, marvelously, masterfully, nobly, notably, perfectly, remarkably, sensationally, skillfully, splendidly, superbly, supremely, swimmingly, well, wonderfully. That was more like it! That description seems to go far enough. Of course I would not say that Mary is perfect, nor am I. However, she is perfect for me. That’s what God does for us when he calls us to leave our parents and unite with a wife in the building of our homes. We become perfect for one another while God fills us with His Holy Spirit in Christ. Do we differ in our opinions… of course. Do we have arguments and perhaps even a spat or two along the way… of course. The key is not in what we do as much as it is in who we are to one another. The trend today is to behave positionally rather than relationally. That can never end well. If kills communication. It destroys any opportunity to give and take in a marriage. We become convenient keepers of the status quo as our relationship drifts into a comfortable cruise to nowhere. Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible, the kind of atmosphere that is found in a family of grace. Robert Brault said, “The older I get, the less time I want to spend with the part of the human race that didn't marry me.” I understand that sentiment very well! So, today, as we celebrate Mary’s birthday here, I pray you will celebrate your life with the one God has placed you with in life’s journey. If you find it difficult to find something to celebrate, begin where you are and commit yourself to a path that will take you to grace. Find someone who can help you on the journey to discover new meaning. Be transformed in life and spirit. For me, I can say she has “surpassed the all”! Happy Birthday, Mary!