Yesterday my Grandfather turned 96. On that same day he and my grandmother celebrated 70 years of marriage. WOW!
In this day and age it seems we celebrate 7 years of marriage as a remarkable thing, there sit my grandparents, married for 70 years as a beacon of the greatness and promises that a committed marriage can bring.
Its a really remarkable thing since they were married for almost twice as long as I have been married when I was born!
I often think about their lives – in the same house, on the same hill, in the same little town for all of those years. My grandfather’s memory is fading now, but sometimes I wish I could ask him what drove him everyday and what purpose did he find as he headed down to take care of the books at the local glass factory. I am not sure, but I wonder if he would point to the verse that I think of alot when I think of my grandparents
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
They have lived a quiet life together, and but they gained great respect. I hope you join me in celebrating their 70 years together, and that maybe you find some encouragement from their example as well! And since I have you thinking, maybe consider for a moment, what your ambitions are?