Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday!

I'm so happy I've managed to dig up 

some "down time" today to write this post.

Life has been extremely eventful recently.

Today,

I am thankful for 36 years of marriage.

No, not mine...

but my wonderful, adorable parents.

They just celebrated year 36 this week.

What a blessing!

If you know me well you know I am a huge romantic

and I'm a sucker for a good love story.

{I just love stories of how God brings people together,

how in His perfect timing paths cross...ok ok, I'm getting carried away}.

Well, my parents definitely have a great story.

If I were to share it in its entirety

we'd be here a while.

And the truth is that God is continuing to write theirs daily.

But what I will share about their story

{which happens to be my favorite part}

is the part where God is so clearly evident in it all.

From their paths first crossing,

to their dating,

from their wedding day, 

to them welcoming their 4 {awesome} children into the world

and all the tiny details in between...

God has and continues to be at work in it all.

His perfect timing and His perfect plan are undeniable.

The rents, their 3 daughters, 1 son,
2 son in law's and 1 granddaughter.

Now that I've reached the ripe old age of 24

and as someone who is single,

it has been neat to watch my parents in their marriage.

 I've been learning more and more about 

what marriage is and how it works.

The time and energy it takes,

the fact that it's rough, bumpy and extremely difficult at times.

That there is in fact heartbreak and disappointment that will occur.

That when you're a unit,

there are great sacrifices that are made

and things sometimes have to be put on hold.

That when you say "I do"

you are saying I do to loving every part of that person,

including the ugly parts.

BUT...

I have also seen how wonderful, beautiful and truly romantic 

a marriage can be when it is centered around Christ.

{The author of the greatest 

love story known to mankind}

My parents have and continue

to set an example of a Godly marriage 

and I am so thankful for that.

I have truly come to appreciate their choice to

 put God first in their relationship.

That they let the Lord lead.

That their desire is to glorify Him in their marriage.

And that is where their true love for one another comes from.

And it is beautiful.

I'm so thankful for the 36 years my parents have been married.

That through challenges and disappointments

 they have chosen to trust God and work through it together.

I'm thankful that after 36 years,

my parents are still deeply in love.

I see them hold hands, kiss goodbye, even the way my dad looks at my mom...

and my heart literally melts.

I look at them and I can see a glimpse of the love Christ has for us.

Unconditional, unwavering, unending, 

deep love that He offers us freely.

Through their marriage,

I am reminded of the Lord's promise to be faithful to us

when we fully let go and put our trust in Him.

Goodness,

talk about a love story.

Thank you Lord,

that 36 years ago you brought my parents together.

Thank you that they have set a phenomenal example

 of a God filled marriage for me and my siblings. 

Thank you that it is through your love

they are able to love one another fully and unconditionally.

So, what are you thankful for today?....