Today I am contemplating two things about our marriage: First, the Lord continues to take us more and more into the depths of understanding God's grace and the love of Christ for His church and the gospel and the mystery of oneness (Ephesians 5:22-33) in marriage. Often I find myself thinking or saying, "I don't have the words it takes to describe the beauty of the mystery of our marriage and what God shows us about Christ and the church." Amazing love!
Second, our marriage gets sweeter and more profoundly precious (as do Christ and His gospel) as we contemplate mortality-- yes, because we are approaching 60 years of age, but also because people who are dear to us are growing frail as death nears. I couldn't help but be reminded of this when I read a poem recently, written and recited in his sermon on marriage by Denny Burke. I quote from his sermon, given last Sunday in Kentucky:
"I wrote a poem for Susan on our third anniversary that was a bit of a vision of how I was hoping and praying we might end up. It's a story that ends with a short prayer."
"The old man took her tired hand
to hold for one last time.
The years had finally pressed her to
her final breath of life.
Their wrinkled hands in warm embrace
brought back the long-gone years.
The memories of their happy times,
and those dissolved in tears.
The old man saw in her ill frame
the girl that stole his heart.
He saw in her that gracious gaze
that filled their home with warmth.
His mind turned back to lighter days
when she did make her mark,
The children her love reared for them,
her single heart for God.
He also felt the weight of grace
that marked her many years,
How she had borne him patiently
when he did cause the tears.
The old man said, 'My love, the time
was cruelly short to me.
I cannot say goodbye to you
and let your passing be.'
'How can I ever say farewell
or even let you part?
You are my only precious thing,
the joy of my old heart.'
And as his eyes began to well,
she reached to touch his face,
And then her quivering voice began
to give one final grace.
'This is the day the Lord has made,
the one He's brought to pass.
This day was written in His book
before my first was past.'
'The Lord has granted us to spend
together all these years.
He's also granted all the joy
and even all our tears.'
'And though this is a bitter day,
we owe him so much thanks.
Dear, we made it! By Him we did!
Yes, we made it! By His grace!'"
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"Oh Father, grant that we may see
our days as at their end.
Oh let us know the weight of grace
in every year we spend.
We make this prayer unto You,
for there is no one higher.
The testimony of your grace
we desperately desire!"
Rynette, I look forward to knowing more of the weight of God's great grace in every year He grants us. I love you and thank God for giving us one another.
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