My parents were married 59 years ago today. December 16th, 1955. And even though my Dad isn’t here to celebrate it with my Mom and the rest of us, it’s still a cause for celebration.

His earthly absence doesn’t change the fact that their marriage was a great one, built on faith and trust and God. It served as a lifelong example to the four kids who were born into it. Four kids who came to know the Lord early. Four kids who as adults all walk with the Lord today. It’s still serving as an example to the ones who are now married with kids of their own, and to the ones still waiting.

The promises made 59 years ago were kept. And the impact of those promises reach farther than those two young Bible college students could possibly have imagined. Mom kept the household and the kids in order so that Dad could travel and preach and speak and tell others about Christ. Together they built a ministry, a family, and a home.

I never had to worry that my parents wouldn’t stay together, and I know that is something rare these days. I never had to worry about being loved and cared for, even when (uh-hem) “adjustments” to my behavior were necessary.

For their 40th Anniversary we put together a video of pictures telling the story of their lives as a couple. As the photos of the wedding and birthdays and babies and homes and vacations faded in and out on the screen, Steve Green’s song “Household of Faith” played in the background. I looked over those lyrics again a few minutes ago and I realized they capture my parent’s marriage perfectly.

We’ll build a household of faith
That together we can make
And when the strong winds blow it won’t fall down
As one in Him we’ll grow and the whole world will know
We are a household of faith

Thank you, Mom, that on a cold December night 59 years ago, amid Christmas decorations and red velvet dresses and friends and family, you and Dad stood before God and began to build a household of faith that still stands to this day. It looks a little different, but it’s still standing.

And we are blessed because of it.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:7