To this you were called....Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Have you ever had one of those marital moments when you just didn't understand how people stay married longer than one day? Fortunately by the grace of God those moments have been few for Heather and me. We have both been instructed by the examples of our own parents and daily guidance by the Holy Spirit. On June 30th, my parents celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary mom and dad! While I have never been a witness to any real strife in their marriage, I know they will confess that it hasn't been easy and that without the amazing saving grace of Jesus they would not be married today.

The family and marriage were the first of God's ordained earthly institutions and so He has much to say about it. Ephesians 5 tells us that the relationship between a husband and wife is a great mystery and that it is a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ the bridegroom and his bride the church, requiring a wife to be submissive to her husband in the same way that we all are to Jesus and for husbands to love their wives just as Jesus loves the church. 1 Peter 3 reminds us that this won't be easy.

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands..." 1 Peter 3:1

The "in the same way" refers us back to the previous chapter where Peter writes of suffering for Christ just as Christ suffered for us.

"...But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:20-21 (emphasis added)

So, in the same way (suffering for Christ) wives be submissive to your husbands and husbands in the same way (suffering for Christ) be considerate and respectful of your wives.

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." 1 Peter 3:7

There's more....in addition, we all are admonished to live in harmony with sympathy, love, compassion, humility, refraining from evil deeds and insults, but giving blessings one to another (1 Peter 3:8-9).

There are many directions to go from here, but I want to stay on course. By the grace of Jesus Christ my parents have done this for 44 years. Not on their own, but only by the grace of Jesus Christ, guidance of the Holy Spirit and a firm reliance on God.

The result of the husband being considerate and respectful to his wife as unto Christ and her submission to him and by following the additional admonishments in 1 Peter 3:8-9 is the inheritance of God's blessing. The blessing that your days will be prolonged by the multiplication of descendants. Pieces coming together yet? Consider this from Hebrews to tie it all in.

"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 6:13-20

It's all through the grace of Jesus who interposed on behalf of our sins on the cross that men and women achieve 44 years of marriage in a fallen world. Thank you mom and dad for your Godly example in love, life, and marriage.