Words of Love

Last Saturday was the 28th anniversary of the day Vonda Kay and I said, “I do!” before “God and these witnesses.” I remain extremely happy that we did so. I love my bride. I love our life together. I love marriage.

Now, I know that marriage sometimes gets a bad rap; nevertheless, marriage is a great thing – it was God’s idea, after all.

As I mentioned in my May 16th post, I recently performed a wedding. Since I wrote that post, I have been asked to officiate another wedding. I’m glad I enjoy leading a man and a woman through a service within which they commit to one another.

Several years ago, I asked dear friends and fellow church members to write about their forty years of marriage. Since then, they have both joined Jesus in Paradise. I asked their daughter’s permission to share those words with you.

From David and Susan Kilpatrick . . .

Kilpatrick’s Words on Marriage . . .

Short version:  '40 adjectives and maybe some adverbs' that describe 'My beloved husband -- by denying himself and placing Christ at the top of his life -- daily struggles included' becomes more precious every day.  

Long version:  Handsome, attractive, funny, animated, interesting, interested, attentive, kind, nice, sweet, thoughtful, creative, beloved, helpful, passionate, patient, giving, caring, careful, cautious, involved, concerned, protective, watchful, provider, encourager, has dreams, witty, a poet, respectful, goals, productive, strong, vigilant, alert, dynamic, gentle, loving, selfless, reflective, attentive, inner strength, tender, courageous, spirited, determined -- this describes my husband of 40 years.  

Now I won't kid you -- after these many years, I could list some antonyms, too.  

That is where 'deny self' comes into our marriage.  It could be easy to focus on the negative in a marriage relationship.  I prefer to focus on the positive attributes.  Does that mean there's never a disagreement . . . no.  We are two individuals.  

I was reminded while looking over our 'first-year' scrapbook and found we had individually written on correspondence to each other, we felt God had brought us together.  What a testimony to God -- God's faithfulness in each of our lives and how He has grown me (us) in our faith with Him; His love and how I (we) have learned to love -- love Him, each other and others.  His giving spirit and how I (we) have learned to give.  I don't know how God does it, but when we yield to Him individually and together, He gives us a full life. 

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The husband's response -- "Ditto of Sorts?" I was checking emails when I came across my wife's story.  Reading it, I did agree with her comments even though throughout our marriage, I did not deserve those superlatives.  Our marriage began those forty years ago with no real pastoral counseling.  [I] actually confer[red] with one Pastor about the possibilities of marrying this beautiful woman.  I remember him asking, "Do you love her?"  I am certain I answered, "I'm not sure!"  He asked again, "Do you like her?"  I answered this rather quickly by saying, "Very, Very much!"  Well then, he said, "You will learn to love her."  I am fairly certain he went on to tell me of men in the Bible who were commanded to love.  He continued, "We are all commanded to love one another as He loves us!"  

I don't believe a person "falls out of love."  There are times my wife didn't like me much, but she has ALWAYS loved me.  I believe over the years we have known which buttons to push; but, Praise be to God, that remote is harder to find these days.  Our wedding rings are no longer gold band and diamond.  They are simple silver with an inscription, "I am my beloved's, My beloved is mine." - Song of Solomon 6:3.  Not until death do us part.   

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Thank you, David and Susan. I’m excited that I get to see you again on that Day.
 
#ordinarylives