Celebrating Life And Death

Eighteen years ago on this very same day, I found myself professing this sacred vow, same with my husband now: “I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

How easy it was to utter the words at that time. It was all about the excitement of making a final commitment with our relationship. Of making it legal. Of making it official…forever and ever…AMEN!!!

But when we both started this special union, it was living those words, of reading between the lines that makes our marriage works. However, I think something is missing with that traditional vow…It’s only a marriage united by God’s love that makes a couple’s relationship thrive. Why? Because love describes Who God is and how He feels about us. That He desires to be with us and have an eternal union with us. When we take action to love Him, that’s when we discover how much He loves us!

To my partner, my God-given love in this difficult trek, thank you so much for loving me unconditionally. For being the best husband who always supports me, who is always beside me, for richer or for poorer, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, as we both continue to love and cherish, until death do us part….I love you! I thank God for His gift of marriage and I thank Him that He gave you to me. For being and always giving your best as a father to our son. Oh, and the product of our love? He is turning 15 two days from now. Happy Birthday to our son who is so sweet, loves to read His Word and tries to etch them in his heart. Who is funny, loving, strives to always give his best. One who loves designing cars in his computer. One who excels in his studies. Yet, he knows, that it is the pursuit of inner beauty that matters in living this life in this world. Dad and I love you very much!

The three of us, after accepting God’s love and forgiveness, found that we don’t have to be beautiful or rich or famous to become virtuous. Because knowing God leads to increased happiness and fulfillment. Going after the intangibles brings that true satisfaction and lasting benefits.

But along this life’s journey, we walk on so many valleys. So, as I celebrate our 18th anniversary, I also celebrate my mother’s passing away 9 years ago. Celebrate…yes…because when I discovered the Lord’s promise of eternal life, same with my mother, I knew I had the best reason to celebrate instead of mourn. The moment she entered the portal of death, only meant the beginning of eternal life. In that I rejoice!

"38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 8:38-39 [NIV].


Lord, thank You for Your being You. Thank You for Your greatest attribute You had shown and given to us: L-O-V-E. That is our souls’ greatest need. Your love brings security and calms us. Thank You for all the wonderful relationships You have given us as we continue to walk this life’s journey. Let Your love binds us all ever so strong. Thank You for Your promise of eternal life. Thank You that You made it possible for us to be reunited with You through Jesus, Your One and only Son. To You be the glory, forever and ever, for all ages to come! Please bless Your children’s marriages and keep us safe from the evil one. Please bless our parents, to those who don’t know You, please open their hearts and minds to accept Your proposal for an eternal union. Please give them strength and protect them. Please bless our children. Keep them safe and away from evil. Give them discernment Oh Lord, especially in this world racing for physical perfection, instead of knowing You and the beautiful changes You create, inside out. Thank You Lord! I love You! ‘Til death do us part….Because of the wonderful Name of Jesus and what He had done. Amen.”

[Please silence my playlist to listen to this wonderful song]:



ETERNITY - by Brian Doerksen

I will be yours, you will be mine
Together in eternity
Our hearts of love will be entwined
Together in eternity
Forever in eternity

No more tears of pain in our eyes
No more fear or shame
For we will be with you
Yes, we will be with you

We will worship, we will worship you Forever
I, I can hear Him saying (I can hear Him saying)

No more (no more), no more (no more), No more tears
No more tears, no more pain
No more fear, no more shame
No more tears, no more pain
No more fear, no more shame
Nothing will never come between us, oh, nothing
I can hear Him saying
Nothing will never come between us
Oh, I can hear Him saying
Nothing will never come between us
Nothing will never come between us

We will worship, we will worship You forever (4x)

20 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary my precious friend! We are very close in marriage years. We will celebrate 20 in May :);) :):)):):):):) and like you I give credit to the LORD for making that happen! I am so happy for you that you have a godly man to love and lead your sweet family! and even though I am still mourning I know I will celebrate as well because Daddy (doug) has entered that portal too.

    Have a wonderful anniversary with your hubby and hope your son has a very happy birthday too!
    I love you

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  2. Happy Anniversary! Those words and so many others are easily uttered, but sometimes hard to live up too! I am thankful you both share an unconditional love for one another. I know it is found in your deep relationship with the LORD. I praise GOD for that in your life and in mine. I am soooo very thankful GOD gave me a hubby who would love me no matter what!

    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

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  3. What beautiful sentiments all around Rosel. Happy Anniversary to you and your beloved and Happy Birthday to your son! May you all have an eternity of love and life together!

    Much love to you!

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  4. I wish I could write my thoughts down like you do.
    It's truly a gift from God how you are able to share your life on your blog.

    God bless you and have a wonderful New Year

    Ron

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  5. Happy Happy Anniversary! May God bless you with many more years of bliss.

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  6. Happy Anniversary! To be married to your best friend is truly a gift from God. May He continue to pour His blessings upon you in the upcoming year...

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  7. Happy Anniversary!

    I'm so proud of you for making it for 18 years.

    Adored the way you put it:

    "we don’t have to be beautiful or rich or famous to become virtuous. Because knowing God leads to increased happiness and fulfillment."

    Such words for thought and such gratitude producing thoughts.

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  8. Happy Anniversary. What a beautiful tribute and song.

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  9. Rosel, This post is so full. Happy 18th anniversary to you and your best friend. May you enjoy so many more years together. Celebrating the union of you and your husband in marriage and the union of your mother and the Lord in Heaven at the same time is such a wonderful time period in your life. God bless you and your heart this day as He continues to reveal His goodness to you as He did almost 15 years ago when He blessed you with the product of your shared love with your son. God is so good!
    Christy

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  10. Happy Anniversary, Rosel!

    My mom too have been Called Home 9 years ago (Aug 2000). Of course, we will always miss them, won't we but is it wonderful that we will be able to meet them in glory once again..but God alone knows the time.

    love,
    ~Silver

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  11. Thank you precious friends. Thank you to all of you, your prayers, your thoughtfulness...I praise God for people like you. I praise Him for this special gift of friendship here in blog world. May God bless you all the more!

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  12. Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful tribute to what God want to make out of our lives.

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  13. Happy Anniversary, sweet friend. That is a beautiful song. Love and Hugs, Cathy

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  14. Happy Anniversary my friend! What a beautiful testimony of God's goodness and grace. I pray that your next 18 years be rich with the fulness of HIM!!

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  15. Your writing contains beautiful sentiments about marriage, vows, eternity and lots of love! Happy birthday to your son who is rich in faith and I think he gets his humor from you. C'mon...admit it. You are funny. I hope this anniversary celebration is the best ever. Thank you, Rosel and DH,for your powerful witness of love to this dying world.

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  16. My Dear Sister,

    Happy, Happy, Happy Anniversary!!

    Oh so truly beautiful your words are. As I gently floated through them I felt such loving grace, peace, tenderness, joy, just so very much...it was as if the gentle flutter of angel wings were all about you, your husband, your marriage, your son. Yes, the gentle flutter of angel wings that is what I felt all throughout this post...absolute beauty throughout it all.

    God is the head of your household. He stands firm within you and you in Him. You are a special gift from Him to all of us my dear friend. Give your son a gentle hug from me and tell him I wish him the happiest birthday ever.

    I love you precious sister.

    {{{Hugs}}}
    Alleluiabelle

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  17. Rosel,

    Congratulations on your wonderful wedding anniversary of 18 glorious and blessed years. It seems as each year passes with our foundations built on the true ROCK of our salvation, they grow stronger, become richer in love and faith just blooms never ending forever.

    May God continue to look upon your marriage with love and admiration for the wonderful role models you both are becoming for your son to set his eyes upon for the future of his marriage.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  18. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! God's love be with you!

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  19. Amen. Wonderful post.
    Congratulations!
    Happy Happy Anniversary. All the best!
    More blessings and power.
    Happy New Year!

    XO
    Regina

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  20. Beautiful tribute to your husband and son. I'm sorry I didn't read it until today, so my wishes for a happy anniversary are very, very belated. :o(

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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