An elderly couple stares into the camera…her seated, him with his hand protectively placed on her shoulder. They are dressed in their Sunday best.  The caption reads, “Local couple celebrates five decades (or six or seven) as man and wife.”  A brief paragraph tells when they were married and where and lists children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and often, great-great grandchildren. Any party or reception given for the special couple is described. Our newspaper features at least one couple every two weeks 

Occasionally, some of the anniversary couples share shots from their long ago weddings, days full of hope and promise. Those are touching, but I prefer the more recent photos.  I like seeing how the brides and grooms wear their long-lasting relationship and love on their faces.  These couples, like most couples, have probably been through many trials.  Relationships are as different as the individuals that make up the unions. I look at the long married folk and know that they have probably spent decades not only discovering who they are as individuals, but who they are as a married unit.  Each journey is unique.

What began as infatuation has hopefully evolved into a deep love.  Maybe the journey has not been easy, but here’s to hoping that these lifetimes spent together are still finding nuances and surprises in the word “we”.  If these couples are lucky, they will never stop mining the joy of their relationship.  My anniversary wish for them is that they still share an abiding love that will continue to carry them forward.

We, as Christians, are in long-term relationships with God.  Unlike the married couples in the newspapers, there is no “until death do us part.” As Christians, we are participating in an eternal relationship with our Lord that merits praise daily.  

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

 (Psalm 113:3 NIV)

When we were new Christians, we were filled with joy and love and hope much like a bride and groom.  A picture taken at the time of our conversion might have shown the excited giddiness we felt at coming to know Christ our Savior. This sense of discovery and happiness can be maintained as we commune with God through prayer, Bible study, and service.  

Relationships between God and believers are different, and each one is rooted in acceptance, forgiveness, grace and love. As we walk with God on a daily basis, we are discovering who he is, as well as finding out who we are in him.  We continually receive acceptance and assurance from our Heavenly Father.

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

 (Ephesians 3:12 NIV) 

Just as no one can really define the marriages featured in our newspaper, no one can characterize specifically what our relationship is with God.   He formed us in his image, yet blessed us with gifts and talents.  God loves each of us uniquely.

”The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

 (Romans 8:16 NIV)

Let’s commemorate every day on earth as a significant anniversary of our salvation. May each believer’s face reflect the vibrant glow of one loved with an abiding love that will last for all eternity.