(On the occasion of our 40th wedding anniversary)
I wear this ring with pride.
Pride in what we have attained; Pride in where we
are going. Pride in the witness that we are becoming
as examples of what God can do in a broken couple
willing to turn to Him.
I wear this ring with humility.
It is my seventh. The first lasting barely a week,
our honeymoon longer than it's short, sorry life.
The others in between lost in similar ignominy.
None of them lost with intention, all lost with regret,
but the climbing count of losses indication of
something damaged, if not broken.
I wear this ring in mourning.
Mourning for the many we have lost along the way
and repentant of the behaviours that contributed to
their leaving, at peace that the Lord's hand is strong
enough to recover what we lost.
I wear this ring with the resilience of faith;
knowing that my vows are real, not taking a back seat
in my priorities nor being placed on some platitudinous
mantle.
I wear this ring with determination.
Forty years is no mean feat. Nothing worth keeping
comes easy. While it pales to insignificance when
measured by our forebears, we may yet be afforded
the opportunity to match their persistence.
I wear this ring with hope.
I believe there is still a good chance that the marriage
we desire is still attainable. What do we desire?
Strong foundations, which we are learning to build, and
the gift of a large portion of His eternal spirit to enrich
our love and lives together.
I wear this ring in love.
Because despite all that has gone before, all the hurt,
shame, and anger, my love for you is still strong, still
enduring, (and I know now,) has been poured into my
heart by Him who is love personified. I know my love
for you will continue to grow until the day we are briefly
parted by death.
I wear this ring with joy.
It is a wonderful thing to be married to you.
It brings me comfort,
it brings me enjoyment,
it fills my life with meaning and intent.
MDC
March 20
