The Things That Matter

My parents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this weekend.

70 years!

What a testimony of faithfulness.

My parents did not have it easy. When you know their story, there is nothing inherent in it that would say that they would end up at this point. An abusive background. A poor upbringing. An early marriage. A lot of financial uncertainty. A lot of moving around. Their first five children born in their first six years of marriage.

But they stayed together. Fought through the difficulties. Remained true.

No fanfare. No accolades. No awards.

There is really nothing special about their story. No news station has interviewed them. No podcaster or influencer has sought them out. No magazine has featured their journey.

They are two simple Midwesterners who met in a small town, got married younger than they planned, had more kids than they expected, had more trials than they wanted, and just tried to make things work.

And they stayed together.

Six kids. One dying early from cancer.

Twenty-three grandchildren.

Seventeen great-grandchildren (and more on the way).

Seventy years of marriage.

Only one word describes this…

Faithfulness.

Commitment lived out over time.

It is what the Bible says is the ultimate measure of a follower of Christ.

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

It is what our Lord applauds in the final evaluation of life.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

I have often taught on the importance of faithfulness but I am not sure if I have ever understood how important it is…how unique it is…how inimitable it is.

Faithfulness cannot be faked.

It cannot be AI-generated.

It cannot be counterfeited.

Time will eventually expose it.

The very genuineness of faithfulness is its genuineness.

Time is the ultimate verification.

In our world of instant everything. Instant information. Instant fame. Instant wealth. Instant access. Instant attraction. Instant gratification. It is hard to find something that is going to last. Something real. Something enduring. Something foundational.

But I think we all long for it.

We long for something that can stand the test of time.

My parents’ marriage stood the test of time…and it is still standing.

I watched this weekend as my Mom and Dad sat in the living room, holding hands, reading their Bible, and praying together.

I watched as they loved on their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, their friends, and their church family.

I watched this morning as my Mom came out of surgery (yes, she had back surgery scheduled just a few days after their 70th anniversary celebration) and my Dad came into her room, held her hand, smiled at her, and kissed her.

And I continue to watch their marriage get stronger every day. What started off rocky eventually became a rock. What started off bitter eventually became sweet.

And what held it all together was the goodness, grace, providence, and faithfulness of God.

Their faithfulness is built on the faithfulness of God.

And that’s when it hit me. Our world is selling people a bill of goods. People are running after the latest thing, the newest thing, the most popular thing. Things seem to move faster and faster to keep people from thinking deeper and deeper.

Things are available in an instant…but they only last for an instant.

The really important things in life take time.

The really important things in life endure time.

The really important things in life extend beyond time.

My parents’ faithfulness is just a small picture of God’s faithfulness.

My parents’ love endured because God’s love for them never failed.

He loved them before they even knew Him.

He protected them before they even acknowledged His hand.

And He saved them through the precious sacrifice of His Son.

I am a witness of God’s grace.

I am a recipient of God’s blessings.

And I am a son of two amazing parents.