Friday, September 1, 2017

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.



Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.comwhere she encourages writers, or at  RiseAndSoar.comwhere 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.

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations,Shirl and Rob. Two happy and life-changing occasions in this blog-well actually three if you include the day when Rob gave his life to Jesus.
    And your question at the end has just made me realise that it's my 50th Happy Anniversary this year of giving my life to Him. Wow, I hadn'r realised it was so long ago.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ruth. And congrats on your 50th anniversary of your walk with Him!

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  2. I do not remember giving my life to Jesus. I only know it was His from my first memory. But I do remember finding this beautiful hymn when I was about thirteen. And my life was changed forever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5keJHZdWYM

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    1. That is such a beautiful hymn. How wonderful that it made such an impact on your life so young. Thanks for sharing, Judith.

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  3. I think many of us take paths in life we never expected. Once again, happy 50th anniversary. That is a gigantic milestone. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Alana. Yes, and it's good to look back and see how long it has been since those times when our lives changed forever!

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  4. i never expected my love for the almighty to become so strong.i was always a believer of a higher power(though we share different faiths our Faith is trong),but it gets stronger everyday .Loved reading this Happy Anniversary .

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Amrita, and for sharing your insight. Blessings on your day!

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  5. I love how your kids are all so different to each other Shirley - it's the same with our two - polar opposites. My husband and I are quite different too and yet we'd choose each other again I'm sure. As far as my relationship with God - He has stood by me through every up and down in my life and choosing Him was a no brainer! I often wonder how others cope without having faith in God and the bigger picture.

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    1. Yes, Leanne, I have often wondered how folk cope without faith. I certainly couldn't have. And yes, Rob and I have often said you're only supposed to have two opposites - but our kids defy that rule of nature. We have three opposites. :-)

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  6. Happy Anniversary Shirley! 50 years is quite an achievement. My in laws celebrate their 50 year marriage anniversary tomorrow 😊

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    1. Thank you Linda. Please pass on my congratulations to your in laws tomorrow!

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  7. A huge congratulations, Shirl! Such a wonderful example of marriage. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Lisa! It's hard to believe we've been together so long, and yet on the other hand I can't think of life without Rob! We became boy/girlfriend when I was 19.

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  8. Dear Shirley, wow! 50! Amazing. Congratulations. Such a wonderful achievement. Thank you for continuing to bless us with your wisdom and love.

    Grace and peace, Ian x

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    1. Thank you so much, Ian. Every blessing to you and yours.

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