My parents recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful for the testimony of their love for one another, for Christ, and for me.
My dad spent years in pastoral ministry before serving in leadership at Central Baptist College. God has blessed him with a pastor’s heart and a businessman’s mind. I am so proud of the faithful work he has done, and continues to do for God’s Kingdom. Although he has retired, he has not stopped laboring for Christ!
Even more important than his career and ministry, however, is his godly character. I cannot remember one time my dad has lied to me –ever. He is a man of his word. More than that, I can only remember a handful of times he raised his voice toward me (I totally deserved more than that). He keeps his cool and reminds me of the patient love of God.
My mom taught elementary school for years before becoming a school counselor. She always cared for all the children –whether their parents were affluent or poor, healthy or dysfunctional, involved or absent. It is not uncommon for me to meet someone around our hometown, and upon mentioning my last name, they say, “Your mom was my kindergarten teacher –she was the best teacher I ever had!” Needless to say, my heart is overwhelmingly thankful when I hear such words.
Mom retired several years ago, but like dad, she has not stopped working. Every day, mom and dad care for my son, Bryce, while I am at work or away traveling.
The way my mom and dad love each other and serve one another in their home is a picture of Christ’s love for the church. They faithfully exhibit what Paul had in mind in Ephesians 5:22-33:
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
I am so thankful for my parents. Growing up, I remember the many times they wouldn’t let me participate in certain activities. I would often say, “But my friends are going. Their parents don’t care.” Little did I realize the accuracy of my words. It was true –many other parents didn’t care. But my parents did care! They cared about Jesus, they cared about his Kingdom, and they cared about me. I can’t imagine where I would be without parents who cared.
Later in life, after losing my wife, my parents once again showed their care toward my son and me. They sold their house and moved three hours away to care for us. Never in my life had I imagined that I would be living in the same house again with my parents. But I wouldn’t trade those three years of living under the same roof for anything! Today, although we live in separate houses, our family is strong and united. Thank you God for my wonderful, loving parents who love you more than anything and continue to set an example for my son and me.
Happy 45th anniversary mom and dad!