Marriage Blessing

Joel and I had the opportunity to visit with some dear friends while we traveled for Christmas. We stopped in Pennsylvania to stay in the home of Len and Sue, and their son Micah. This Godly family extended warm hospitality, and we enjoyed catching up with them and sharing in their family devotional time. What an encouraging example of placing Christ and the Word at the center of their lives.

While we were there, Len provided us with a handwritten copy of the blessing he spoke at our wedding over two years ago. Joel posted it on his blog today, and reading through it brought me to tears. This blessing speaks of the priorities and privileges of a Christian marriage, and by God's grace I believe He is carrying this blessing out. It is humbling and astonishing to read Len's words and to realize that God has been working out these Biblical exhortations in my marriage! I hope you will read the blessing for yourself and be encouraged to commit your relationships to God. By the power of His Spirit, He is mighty to bring about His purposes and to glorify Himself through our small, human lives - through both our challenges and our joys! We have obviously not arrived at the full sanctification of our marriage just yet (what an understatement!), but the hand of God is undeniably shaping us and conforming us to His image. Lord, continue your work in us and help us always to submit to your ways.

For Joel and Liz,

As each day unfolds, the Lord calls us to approach that day as one filled with wonder, amazement, and opportunity. A gift from God to be used to bring Him honor and glory. We are called to fill each day with all the love that lives within us, with goodness, with charity, with kindness, with generosity. May your life together take shape day by day. May these vows of marriage in the name of Jesus Christ be the cornerstone on which your life is built. May the visions you both hold dearest be those that come to pass. May the lives you touch and the friendships you make be those that endure.

As your hearts are full of love, may the world always be filled with the beauty that He gives to us. May you always realize how precious the gift is that God has given to you both - the heart of the one you love. May He bless you with many merry days. May everything you do in life reflect that special glow of the Holy Spirit who dwells within.

May contentment always latch your door. May the Lord make your relationships a great and holy adventure together. May you surrender to the King - your conflicts and your burdens. May you always be guided in the ways of holiness. May your relationship together be as a burst of light; a fount of love and wisdom for you both, for your family, for your community, for our world. May you always remember that in each other you have the most beautiful woman, the most beautiful man. Yes, even the strongest one in whose loving arms you are repaired and made whole all over again. May you remain forever young in your marriage. May you grow each day in wisdom and in your desire to serve one another as you both serve the King of Kings - our Lord, our Savior, our God, Jesus Christ.

In His name we pray, Amen.