Jesus, “your love is better than life” Ps.63:3
Dear Jesus, on our wedding day, May 5th, 1972, I’d never heard of “Cinco de Mayo”—the day commemorating the Mexican army’s defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla in1862. But 5/5/72 is the day we commemorate as the beginning of your “grace-war” for our brand-new marriage. 53 years later, you’re still at it. Hallelujah, and thank you.
On our wedding day, Darlene and I understood so little about many things, but we were especially deficient in our understanding and experience of the truths and riches of the Gospel. We were also naïve and clueless about the wounds, traumas, and brokenness we brought into our marriage. In your perfect timing that changed—boy, did it ever. And your mercy and grace, kindness and love started to be our oxygen, water, and hope. They still are.
Jesus, thank you for rescuing us from the notion that if we “married the right person” marriage would be easy and wonderful all the time. You never intended marriage to be a hammock in the breeze for the lazy; but a grace-infused environment for two sinner-saints to become more like you, Jesus.
Thank you for mentors and models who help us understand there’s only one perfect Spouse in our marriage—and that’s you, Jesus, our ultimate and eternal Spouse. Thank you for freeing us from trying to be the 4th member of the Trinity in each other’s lives.
Thank you that we can now weep together and rejoice together—be weak together and hope together—repent quicker and encourage more. And thank you for friends and couples we get to walk with who are just as grace-needy, weakness-owning, and Gospel-dependent as we are.
One day, Darlene or I will be first to commit the other into your eternal presence—that humbles and saddens us. Until then, continue to pour more and more of your grace, gentleness, and kindness into our hearts and marriage. Keep freeing us, growing us, and using us to your glory. Jesus. Thank you, and So Very Amen.