DEVOTION: Happy Anniversary!

Last month

At the beginning of last month, two things happened. My husband and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. And I forgot to write the post for this blog. (Sorry!!! Please be gentle with the wet noodle!)

Our Wedding Anniversary was a special occasion, and we spent it at a holiday resort a few hours from home. Although not many of our family were able to make it on the day, we had a good time with those who could, as well as some special friends from way back when.

Many friends and cyber friends on Facebook sent us congratulations and oohed and ahhed over the photographs I put up. Many commented on how cute or young or pretty or whatever we had been at our wedding.

Strange comments

Two comments particularly amused me. They said how amazed they were to see that we hadn't changed a bit!

Okay, now seriously? I think their sight has changed! They need new glasses in a big way. There would be something very wrong if we hadn't changed over a period of fifty years!

I think you'll agree/ We've changed just a bit!

I know we have changed dramatically. When I look in the mirror today, I don't see a young bride. I look into the face of my mother.

More importantly, I have changed as a person. I am way more patient, more caring, more understanding. (Those are some of the good qualities! I'm not telling you the others.)

But as I compare the photos of our wedding, and those of our anniversary, I see two very different couples. Overnight we went from being boyfriend and girlfriend in love and not sleeping together, to being a married couple.

Changing Family Roles

Fifteen months later, we became a family of three, with the birth of our daughter. Some months later, my husband was called into full time ministry, and then along came the gentle, shy number two. Three years later, number three erupted into our lives with a joyous enthusiasm that took our breath away.

Our lives kept changing, and with it our characters developed. Sometimes for the better, but maybe not always. By the time number three had reached his last few years of high school, number one had changed us again--into grandparents. At the time of our 50th Wedding Anniversary, we were parents of six adults (three through birth and three through marriage) and grandparents to six charming young people ranging from 24 to 4.

4 years ago, taken before Zane joined our family as a newborn.

A more important anniversary

But that makes me think of another anniversary. One far more important than a wedding anniversary. And it's a date that, to my shame, I don't remember. I don't suppose that should surprise me as I have to rely on my phone to remind me of all the family anniversaries!

I clearly remember the occasion and how it happened. I can go so far as to say it was in September (or October or maybe November) in 1963. Unlike my husband, I can't name the date. I'm referring of course to the night I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many people would say it was the time I found Jesus. But He was never lost! Nor was it when He found me. Looking back, I know He always knew exactly where I was and kept His hand firmly upon me. It was only a matter of time before I listened to His call.

Do a quick calculation and you'll see that was nearly 54 years ago. If I were to say, "And I haven't changed a bit!" that would surely cause you to question whether my commitment to Him was for real.

A couple of years ago, my husband met a man who had been at school with me. We'd had no contact through the years, so he asked the inevitable question, "What has Shirley done with her life?"

"Well, she's a registered nurse and a minister's wife for a start . . . " The chap's mouth dropped open and he exclaimed, "Shirley Geddes? A minister's wife? No way."

Very impolite, I felt.

But yep, he was right. No way would anyone who knew me at school have seen "minister's wife" in my future. My commitment to Jesus changed me completely, and is continuing to change me as I walk through life's highs and lows.

If you were to ask me (as some have) if we would still "do it again" referring to our marriage, my answer is "Absolutely!"

If I faced that same night's challenge in the church again, would I give myself to Jesus again? I have the same answer. "Absolutely!" I have many regrets over things I have failed to do or times when I haven't listened properly to Him. But all the regrets are on my side. He has never once let me down.

So sometime in September (or October or maybe November) I will wish myself a "Happy Anniversary" as I remember the day I received Jesus Christ into my life.

How about you? 

Do you have a Happy Anniversary when you gave your life to Him? If not, would you like to have that experience? Please share your answer in the comment box below.

SHIRLEY CORDER lives on the coast of South Africa with her husband, Rob. She has recently embarked on a series of eBooks titled, Out of the Shadow.

Available now:Naomi, Beloved Mother-in-Law;  Eve, Mother of All; Miriam Part 1, Devoted Sister

Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.com, where she encourages writers, or at  RiseAndSoar.com, where she encourages those in the cancer valley. 

You can also meet with her on Twitter or FaceBook.

Strength Renewed: Meditations for your Journey through Breast Cancer contains 90 meditations for those facing cancer.