A Special Day

Have you ever looked at the list of “special days” that pop up each day on your calendars? It appears there is a “special day” for just about everything imaginable. Since our wedding anniversary was June 6th, I just checked to see if our anniversary made the calendar of “special days” along with: D-Day; National Applesauce Cake Day; National Drive-In Movie Day; National Eyewear Day; National Gardening Exercise Day; National Higher Education Day; and of course, National Yo-Yo Day. It didn’t. But to me it was special and made my personal list of “special days.” That was the day 54 years ago my wife and I established a new branch on the Reid/Shenk family tree. That day we made vows that we intended to keep regardless of circumstances that would enter our personal lives. The words of the vows stated our commitment, “For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thus, I pledge you my faith.” That was our intention, and the vows were made with great honesty and perhaps a bit of naivety shrouded in our romantic passions. But as the years lay before us, we felt we would do these things because they were unconditional commitments for life. Little did we know what lay ahead the next 54 years probably required many more vows than those few. Maybe it would have been wiser to add “etcetera” after that short list of vows. Perhaps the last few words of the vows we exchanged was our “etcetera” – “I pledge you my faith.”

     Faith as the author of Hebrews writes, “Is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (11:1 ESV). Little can we know on a wedding day where life will take us. However, we were and are committed to be involved in the journey ahead while maintaining assurance in God’s enablement and leading fused with a conviction that God can and will take us to the destination that is best for us. The vows did not specifically mention financial struggles where our funds were shorter than our week was long. There was no mention of professional pressures where time was at a premium and people’s expectations and demands presumed that they were the first duty in our lives. No hint arose that when children came along there would be challenges that seemed overwhelming and the accompanying strain that everyone else knew what was best for our home. As we weighed advice that was offered, it seemed the children did not fit into the “right way to handle your kids,” and we did not always agree with the course to take. When doubts arose about the future, what to do sometimes landed in the “pending pile” of indecision creating the tension of differing opinions. When old age showed up, health situations appeared, the empty nest arrived, and hundreds of changing circumstances emerged, the constat in all of this was the vow, “I pledge you my faith.”

     The Bible shares stories of many couples that moved through life with a vow-like-tenacity. The Bible shares those accounts with warts and all as we see biblical characters’ successes and failures. The one couple that stands out in my mind is Mary and Joseph. They were an extraordinary couple God chose to be parents to Jesus, His Son. This couple faced the most challenging circumstances in their relationship. The accounts in Luke 1:26-38 (announcement to Mary) and Matthew 1:18-25 (announcement to Joseph) display a life of faith – “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This couple were “betrothed” to one another. In those days a Jewish betrothal was as binding as today’s marriage and the couple was considered legally husband and wife. The relationship could only be terminated by a divorce. Mary was told by an angel sent from God that she was chosen for a divine mission, to bear a son named Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Her reaction was that this was impossible for she was a virgin. After a brief explanation, Mary submits to God’s will saying, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.” (1:38). She pledged her faith to God by her actions.

     Joseph also is given an amazing announcement. He was a man of sterling character and wanted to do the right thing. An angel reveals to him what has happened to Mary and tells him to proceed with the marriage ceremony. He too is told this was a special mission, producing a special child who would “save people from their sins.” Joseph submits, rises, and does as commanded. He pledged his faith to God by his actions.

     This young couple had no idea where their pledge would lead them. They only knew that they were obeying God by faith with an “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The circumstances in their life altered dramatically. Shepherds announced an amazing message. Older people in the Temple would announce tremendous truths concerning this son. They would flee to Egypt for safety. They watched a child grow in amazing ways. They saw Jesus operate as a miracle worker. Mary was heartbroken as Jesus was rejected and crucified. She was amazed as he rose from the dead. All this transpired because they pledged to God their faith.

     Life is not always clearly laid out before us. However, as we live by faith whether in a marriage or in many other areas of our life, we can be assured that the Lord can and will guide us in our life’s journey. Living life by faith makes every day with God a “special day.” Enjoy the adventure of living by faith and the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”