Remembering Together

"Today's Devotion" For July 5, 2005

("Today's Devotion" originally published July 5, 2003 - I share it with you today because, by God's grace and great love, my wife, Susan, and I are celebrating 25 years of marriage on this day. Next to our God, she is the love of my life and a "helper" who truly fits me. Thanks be to God!)

Read: Ezra 6:19-22; I Thessalonians 3:6-13

REMEMBERING TOGETHER

"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done." (Ps.143:5)

Today is a special day for my wife and me. We're celebrating our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. I realize that 23 years isn't such a big deal compared to 25 years, but for us to be together this long is a testament to God's grace and love, His forgiveness and mercy, His patience and His sense of humor. He's given us myriad blessings, not the least of which are seven wonderful, Christian children, whom He has blessed with strong characters, intelligence, determination, and faith and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior from Sin. Above all He has given us, there stands our faith in Christ that has sustained us through some turbulent times and challenges to our faith and life together. We are truly blessed.

Anniversaries are times to remember God's blessings. Yesterday, which was the Fourth of July, Independence Day, is an anniversary of remembrance. Birthdays are anniversaries of remembrance. In addition we have many other anniversaries of remembrance that help us to focus our attention on God's continued blessings to each of us over the years of our lives. Anniversaries are special occasions that help us to give thanks for all God has done for us. Over the years, our wedding anniversary has been a challenge to observe, because it comes on the day after the Fourth of July. Often we’ve been on the road, traveling for a family reunion or even another family wedding on this day because of its close proximity to the holiday. There have been times, due to military service, that I was unable to be present with my dear wife on our anniversary, and not even able to call her.

No matter the circumstances, however, our relationship to each other in Jesus Christ keeps the anniversaries alive. As God's people, you and I are able to remember the milestones in our lives, together with our loved ones and friends, even when we're separated from one another. Through prayer we lift one another up before the throne of grace, giving thanks to God for all His blessings and seeking His continued presence in our lives. So, whether we're celebrating a wedding anniversary, a birthday, or a special holiday like the Fourth of July, and no matter where in the world we may be at the time, God blesses us with oneness in Christ's Body, so that as His redeemed and forgiven children, even if we're apart we're still together, celebrating, remembering, and giving thanks for all God has done and does, for us and through us, each day.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have blessed me with so many important days and times of my life in You, times of challenge and blessing, opportunity and service, personal and relational. For all these times I give You humble and hearty thanks and ask that You continue to bless these special times-anniversaries-so that they may always be of importance to me as they help me to remember Your love and every blessing. Bless me, Father, with the privilege of giving thanks to You and celebrating Your love with family and friends, so that, no matter how far apart we may be, they will still be an important part of my remembrance of Your love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @ 2003 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.