Rejoice in the Spouse of Your Youth
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
- King Solomon, Proverbs 5:18
“What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life
- to strengthen each other in all labour,
- to rest on each other in sorrow,
- to minister to each other in all pain,
- to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories
at the moment of that last parting?”
- George Eliot
One week ago today, Pam and I celebrated 42 years of marriage. The outpouring of congratulatory messages we received on social media was amazing. We are humbled and grateful beyond measure to have heard from so many of you, but mostly thankful that God has given us 42 years to share life with each other. Pam is my best friend, my partner in life, and there is no one in this world I’d rather spend time with than her. I can honestly say, by God’s grace, “My fountain has been blessed and I rejoice in the wife of my youth.” I could go on to quote more of the passage from Proverbs 5, but it quickly moves into more “R” rated material (you should read it).
However, as I read down through the messages from friends all over the world, I was especially drawn to those who sent congratulatory messages despite having recently lost the spouse of “their” youth.
Connie Coleman sent us beautiful greetings despite having to recently say goodbye to Dave, the love of her life. They were a beautiful couple, loved and cherished by their family and respected by all who knew them.
Mary Butterbrodt encouraged us to dance the happy dance, which means even more knowing she can no longer dance that dance with her husband, Vaughn.
Jeff Hans lost his queen, Loretta, a couple of years ago, yet he continues to hold onto the great memories and share the joy of Jesus with all those around him, including us.
Kathy Quistad lost Jeff, the husband of her youth, a number of years ago, but I know every anniversary still stings.
Lorraine Young lost her husband, Jay, some time back, but still took the time to send us hugs for our anniversary.
Leo Stone still holds tightly to the memories of his beautiful bride, Hedy, and it makes his anniversary wishes to us even more meaningful.
I apologize if I left any one out, as I know the loss of the spouse of your youth is still as real today as it was the day you said goodbye.
There is one other couple I must mention, however, as we received a beautiful congratulatory message from my Aunt Marietta, who just lost Lester, her husband of 70+ years, eight short months ago. Lester and Marietta were amazing servants of the Lord and an “almost” perfect example of a godly marriage (no one is absolutely perfect, but they were close). They set the bar high, and Pam and I aspire to one day leave a legacy like the one they have left. God’s not done with Marietta yet, but I know there will, one day, be a joyful reunion in Heaven as they are reunited once again. Thank you, Marietta and Lester, for leading the way for couples like us.
I pray that every married couple who reads this, and God has graced you with a little more time on this earth together, will cherish every moment, embrace every new experience, celebrate every joy, and lean on each other in every sorrow, as each is one small part in the building of a legacy others will see and follow.
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the [spouse] of your youth.
- Proverbs 5:16
Pastor Ken