A year ago, our five kids were planning an open house reception for our 50th wedding anniversary. They asked us for the verses or passages of scripture that had been meaningful in our marriage. The first verse that came to my mind was 1 Corinthians 8:6. This reference is engraved inside each of our wedding rings. “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”
We chose this to be OUR verse for our married life. We wanted to proclaim the centrality of the triune God as the only true God in our lives. Another passage special to us was Isaiah 40:28-31. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
We sensed our call was to church planting. These verses gave us hope, encouragement and strength in those busy days! There were days in our ministry when we were exhausted – “tired and weary” and when we read that even youths grow tired and weary, we were encouraged and renewed! As a church plant, we rented a facility and had to set up every Sunday – chairs, mics, kids ministry, nursery, all the extension cords, music, purple chorus books, and everything being carried in and then carried out again.
We had the joy of meeting new visitors, following up with them, and having them over for a meal. It was so good getting to know them and hearing their story. But I also had young kids to care for while preparing for visitors to come over. These verses sustained me!
Another verse I loved and experienced was Proverbs 11:25b ”….whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” So often, after having a woman or a family over, I was so encouraged and blessed by the conversation, truly refreshed! Just sitting at the table over a cup of tea or coffee, allowed conversation to occur naturally, to talk about hard times, good times, parenting, marriage, friendship, and the Scriptures.
My husband and I have served in various ministries these past 50 years. There were two church plants. Mike was a District Superintendent with the Evangelical Free Church, where Mike “pastored” pastors (about 55) in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana. Mike was a professor at Moody Bible Institute for 11 years, teaching in the Pastoral Studies Department. And more recently, we have been doing interim pastoral ministry over the past 4 ½ years in Omaha, Nebraska, Bartlett, Illinois, and Elgin, Illinois. Currently, Mike serves as part-time Interim Church Strengthening Director with RHMA and parttime as Executive Ministry Pastor with a church in Elgin. Illinois.
I share these various ministries and circumstances because another favorite verse of mine is Philippians 4:11-13 “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Throughout the many moves and different ministries, I had to learn to be content whatever the circumstances. There were times of need when our church was short of funds and unable to pay us. There were times of plenty, when we were blessed with a vacation condo in Florida to enjoy with our family of 7 at no cost. These verses were reminders that Paul learned contentment. It wasn’t automatic. I, too, had to learn how to be content in all circumstances. I explored and found unique and fun things in every place we lived. Rather than focusing on the difficult or uncomfortable things for me, I celebrated the unique experiences I could enjoy!
Our kids printed these verses and used them as decorations on the tables at the reception. And as each spoke at the reception, they encouraged us as they shared from their lives what they had observed in us as they grew up. It was a gift to hear them share from their heart and from God’s Word. We were encouraged that the verses we chose for our marriage were proclaimed even at our 50th anniversary celebration. And we are not finished! We want to continue to be faithful, to center our life and marriage on Christ, to continue serving and living for Christ.
Taking it Further:
What is the verse(s) that rise up in your life that God repeatedly brings to your mind to encourage, strengthen or challenge you? What passage does God prompt you to return to as you minister to God’s people?