Thankful Thursday: My Valentine

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."  Genesis 2:24

"Marriage is not a noun, it's a verb.  

It isn't something you get.  It's something you do.  

It's the way you love your partner every day." 

-- Barbara De Angelis

Today is a perfect day to celebrate the love of my life!  God has truly blessed me.  We met 25 years ago, and have been dancing together through life ever since.  Of course, in the 23 years since we've been married there have been a few ups and downs, but with God by our side, our love has always remained.  Here's to another couple decades.  I love you, Ken!

It's hard to believe, and I'm thinking I'm closer than I want to be, but my kids aren't too far from the days when they will be thinking about marriage and finding their life mates.  Soon Valentine's Day will be a day worth celebrating, because they will have someone to celebrate with.  I'm praying for them to find the mate God has planned just for them, and that they choose to work hard throughout their lifetime to love their spouse deeply.  I long for them to live in deep happiness, and in marriages that are strong, healthy, and committed for the long haul.  One day, I hope they will be celebrating a marriage that has lasted 20 years or more!

Valentines Day is a good day to reflect on past memories, celebrate present love, and hope for a strong futures...ours and our kids!

Lord, you have blessed my life richly with a wonderful husband and a marriage that brings me much happiness.  You knew the man who would be perfect for me, and you brought us together in beautiful fashion.  Sure, we have struggles and ups and downs, but you are always there pushing us to be better, to look to you for guidance, and lean on you for understanding.  Lord, I pray that my children find the mates that you have designed perfectly for them as well.  Mates that will love them deeply, be willing to work through the hard things, always be faithful, and live their lives devoted to you.  I pray that my kids have marriages that are full of love, happiness, peace, contentment, and respect.  Begin preparing them, and their future spouses, for a beautiful adventure, with you by their side.