Just 43 Years!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV). Happy Anniversary, Mary! Yep, it has been 43 years since I stood in the altar of First Baptist Church, Bryan, Texas as the organ played Mendelssohn's Wedding March and Mary walked arm in arm with her dad down the aisle for us to say our vows to one another. There were so many things about that day that I could recite as the memories have been etched into our minds. Some of them were very serious, others very humorous. Though I was not aware of it at the time, a dear lady named Alice Butler had gotten the dates and times for a special choir practice confused with our wedding. She was running a bit late and thought she would simply burst into the choir loft with an aria. Of course, had she not caught herself in mid-breath opening the door behind us, it would have made for an even funnier story! But, she did and no one was the wiser. We have laughed about that near disaster for many years. Lots of folks had wise words to share with me both before and after the wedding. Honestly, I can remember most of them even today. The wisest bit of wisdom came just as Mary turned the corner into the aisle with her dad. Bailey Stone, then pastor, and a dear friend and mentor to me today, leaned in to me and said, “Get where you can see Mary Anne (he has always called her by both her names). This will be a sight you will never forget.” He was absolutely correct. She turned the corner, waiting for the trumpets, and it seemed as if there was a glow surrounding her. She was beautiful beyond words, but the most wonderful sight was in the strength that she represented. It would be in those next few moments that we would become that threefold cord. There have been times when the strength of that cord would be tested, but never broken. The disappointments and challenges of life would never fray that cord! Through the years I have been able to understand better why that’s so true. While Mary is incredibly strong, and I have some strength as well; the two of us alone could never withstand these challenges. It would always be that third strand. His name is Jesus. In the many opportunities I have had through the years to counsel other couples during difficult times, it always comes back to the strength of Jesus. That is the essence of the grace of God operating in our lives. As I wish her Happy Anniversary today, may I challenge you to examine your “threefold cold”? What better time than Christmas to do that? Nothing and no one will do like Jesus!