I want to share a letter that I wrote to my parents to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary on December 26st of this year. With so many failing marriages that have such a profound impact on the lives around them, I thought it would be nice to hear a success story for a change. Curtis and Margaret Taylor are not perfect, nor are their offspring, but the power of two simple words "I do" changes the lives of more people than any of us can believe. I pray that their story will touch your life. I know it has touched mine!
Dear Mom and Dad,
It seems so easy to overlook your anniversary because it follows Christmas Day, but that doesn’t take away from the significance of the day you said, “I do!” “I do” seems to be two very simple words, but placed together and followed through on, they make a lifetime of memories.
Because you both said, “I do” and meant it, I will refer to it as “We do,” because it takes two people working together to make a marriage. This scripture came to me this morning:
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two canresist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecc. 4:9-12 NASV
You both are a testimony of this Word. We all know how faithful God is to His Word and how He brings incredible strength to the covenant of marriage that mystically creates a unity that is unexplainable by human means. But it still requires the surrender of the two who have said “I do” to make it work. You both have made it work for sixty-one years and we are so thankful that you have. Why? Because we are the ones who have benefitted from your “We do!”
This weekend you have been able to look first hand at the result of “We do!” Two sons, two daughter-in-laws, and 9 grandchildren and I can’t forget the one grandson-in-law and many more to come. Each person possesses a powerful story and they are touching people everyday with something that originated from your “We do!” Amazing isn’t it.
Who would have thought that you would be touching nations, practicing law, helping sick people, teaching children, writing, coaching, enforcing the law, making people beautiful and much much more to come. The story is never ending and will continue until Jesus comes.
Thank you for staying faithful to two simple, but profound words “I do.” If it were not for you there would be no us! Your words of commitment have set in motion things that have been prepared from the foundation of the world, but needed two people to come into agreement to bring about actions that will continue to produce blessings for the ages.
There is no stopping it now!
Happy Anniversary!
We love you,
Paul and Karen
Maybe you haven't been married 61 years, but your "I do" is just as powerful as Mom and Dad's. You are touching people and making a difference in the lives of many people who you will never meet. Stay faithful to God and the one you love! The powerful force of covenant will change you and the rest will be history!
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