55th Anniversary!

 

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 ESV).

 

It is our 55^th Anniversary today! I’m not quite sure how that happened so quickly, but the day has arrived. I was a bit perplexed as to what picture I would attach to today’s devotional; and, I may have a bit of explaining to do when Mary sees the one I chose! However, this is the Mary I have known and cherished for over half a century. I do not remember what was so funny at the time. Perhaps it was the fact that it was so out of character for her to have a garter on, much less have me take it off her leg! In any case, this is one of those moments that her joy burst through in such a visible way. That is the Mary that so many people do not get to see. That is the lady I fell in love with so many years ago.

 

Of course, there are many other things about her personality and character that convinced me beyond any doubt that she was the one for me that first moment I met her. And, perhaps it is this complex mixture of all these things that made it so easy to understand the will and purpose of God in our lives then. That certainly is true today.

 

It is that truth that brings me to our reading today. The Apostle Paul defines love in such a clear and complete way in these verses. The most impactful of these descriptions is the enduring nature of love. Even when we compare faith and hope to love, love is the clear greatest of the three. That has been the sustaining fact in our relationship. It has always been the north star that guided us through the many experiences of life. I am so thankful for these years and look forward to many more.

 

Our prayer is always that you will find that same relationship in your life. God bless you all… thank you, Mary for saying yes!