Marriage has become as "disposable" as other conveniences in our culture...
disposable diapers, disposable cameras, disposable razors,
disposable underwear (it's real...look it up).
It seems that we've become quite adept at
"working hard" to make our lives easier.
Or perhaps we've become accustomed to
hardly working...even in relationships...
especially in marriage.
Thankfully, my precious parents took very seriously
the vows they made to each other before God
on September 24, 1960... almost 50 years ago.
When they said, "...forsaking all others, I promise to be faithful,
in sickness or in health, for richer or poorer, 'til death do us part,"
they meant those words...and they've fought to honor them.
Yes. Fought.
Fought sin...and sometimes fought each other.
Thanks be to God, they have not given up!
One thing I never doubted in my growing up years
was Dad's love for my mother and Mom's love for my father.
It wasn't always pretty...but it was always sure.
Dad has always been my mom's biggest fan.
Mom has always been my dad's biggest fan.
Neither was their own biggest fan...
Perhaps that's why they're one of the few couples today
who are blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage.
If you asked them how they made it to 50 years
they would probably answer...
"Only by the grace of God."
You see, the vows they promised to each other
were first and foremost a covenant in the eyes of God.
And while there have been days that they
have wanted to throw in the proverbial towel...
they have remained firmly committed to their covenant with God,
trusting him for grace to "bear all things, believe all things,
hope all things and endure all things."
Their example has served me well in my own marriage...
and I am wholeheartedly thankful!
Sweet husband and I, my brother and sister-in-law, and our children
were blessed to be able to celebrate Mom and Dad's 50 years
with a reception this past weekend.
Amazingly we were able to keep it a surprise,
not telling Mom and Dad anything about it until
my brother invited everyone during church that morning
to join us in honoring them.
Of course, we had covert operatives within their church
who had helped us for weeks to spread the word.
It was friendship at its best! (Thanks Jean and Ruby!!)
There really are no adequate words to express
my love for my parents and
my gratitude for their example and love for each other...
other than to say,
"My soul magnifies the Lord and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Luke 1: 46-47)
For it is directly from the hand of God that all blessings flow...
He receives all the glory and we, by his grace, all the joy!
Enjoy some photos from the reception...
Here's my precious father...
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel
of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates both day and night."
(Psalm 1: 1-2)
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates both day and night."
(Psalm 1: 1-2)
Here is my beautiful mother...
"Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
'Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.'
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain
but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised."
(Proverbs 31: 25, 28-30)
Mom and Dad cutting the cake...
...and feeding each other.
I love the delight in my mom's eyes...
still...after 50 years!
(it's in Dad's, too...you just can't see it because of the angle)
Then they shared some punch...
isn't this GREAT!?!
We placed pictures of Mom and Dad on each table.
Here is a photo from their wedding and
my mom's bride's book.
I'm so thankful that it survived their house fire 10 years ago!
From left to right:
DeLeith and Trey Gossett (my brother)
Dad and Mom
Me and Sweet Husband
Dad and Mom and their grandchildren
Left to right:
Chris and Grant (my nephews), Dad,
Tori (my niece), Mom, Drew (our youngest son)
Peter and Bethany (our daughter), Hudson,
Loren and Jake (our son);
so sad Meggie and Josh (our oldest son) are missing!
My brother, Trey, with the "cake of shame".
He's probably saying, "There is nothing wrong with this cake!"
You see...
When he and DeLeith were transporting the real cake to
the reception, the top layer fell off. They returned to
the store to get it fixed or get another one made.
The cake pictured was purchased in the event the bakery
couldn't prepare another "real cake" on such short notice.
Trey and Sweet Husband wanted to put this cake
out on the hors d'oeuvres table. DeLeith and I
told them it would not fit in the scheme of things...
thus, it was dubbed the "cake of shame"...
for it remained in the kitchen. Awwww...
for it remained in the kitchen. Awwww...
Here's the real cake.
The bakery did an excellent job rectifying
a disastrous situation.
We were very, very thankful!
(...and yes, that thankfulness was communicated
to the manager)
There were so many friends...
who stopped by...
(these are the husbands of the covert operatives)
to offer congratulations to Mom...
and Dad...
and to enjoy some good fellowship with each other.
This became the "cousins' corner".
They enjoyed visiting with the crowd...
but, most of all with each other.
Hudson was a great sport in the room full of grandmothers!
But, when all was said and done...
he was receptioned-out!
Then, it seemed, as quickly as it began...
it was over.
...and a sweet time was had by all!
Because...
He asked, "Will you?"
and
she said, "Yes!"
The rest, as they say, is history!
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