My dad married us, and inside the cover of my Bible is a worn thin sheet of his hand typed and spoken words. Valentine's Day and our anniversary both come in February, so it's a good time to share this memory, and to give thanks for my valentine!......Some of dad's thoughts spoken at our wedding...
"Sometimes it has been said that love is 50/50, 'he is my better half... she is my better half'. But Christ shows us a better way. The trouble in our society today is that too much is only on a 50/50 basis, half hearted & divided. Life is not half and love is not 50/50. It is 100%. 100% both ways!. Forgiveness is not 50%, it is 100%. And many times you will both give in 100%. This is the life of love. Keep everything on a 100% basis, with nothing between. Share your secrets together, your joys, your sorrow, your trials & triumphs.
I would like to give you a very wonderful verse for this your wedding day and for your life together. It is the promise of Christ..."If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
"Oh God of love, Thou hast ordained marriage for the welfare and happiness of man. It is entirely Thy plan and only with Thee can it work that way. Thou hast said, 'it is not good for man to be alone. I will make a help meet for him.'
Today we are here to recognize and solemnize this holy union & to give Thee praise and thanks for such a high wonder on earth. We are here to pray... that Thou will EVER KEEP THEM IN THIS ONENESS:
... one in heart
... one in love
... one in life
... one in everything!
We are here to ask Thee to seal this union which Thou thyself has made, and as they walk together as lovers through life may their path be as a shining light that shineth more & more unto the perfect day. This we ask through Jesus Christ, the great lover of our souls. Amen. "...
My dad loved to pray, and could he ever pray! He talked to the Lord like we talk to each other, and this prayer was just a small part of what he prayed at our wedding...
For years we all laughed together with him when my husband claimed that was the longest time he's ever spent on his knees... he wasn't sure if he could get up! Dad was going to be sure he got us good and blessed!
and... it worked!
(above photo is left to right, dad, Joe and his dad)
21 comments:
Awwwww! What a precious, precious memory!
Oh Sonja I LOVED this. What a sweet post. How awesome that your dad married you. What a wonderful memory that is and to have the prayer he prayed written down as well, is just soo special. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
That sounds like such a beautiful ceremony! What words of wisdom!!! Thank you for sharing them. Happy Anniversary! :)
I love this! I love how you have the words that he spoke. We have an old cassette tape of our wedding and used to listen to it every year on our anniversary. Now, we don't have a cassette player.
I love the part about your dad praying the best. What a wonderful thing to be married by your own dad. My parents were married by my father's father. It always thought that was special.
Happy Anniversary!
What a lovely bride! Happy Valentines Day and anniversary to you two lovebirds. What a wonderful start described here in all this prayer.
Love,
Mary
Once again melted my heart with your heritage and yours Father's prayers. Just reminds me again that where my efforts for my adult children should be is on my knees more and less from my mouth to them.
Happy Anniversary and thanks for sharing
This was just precious, Sonja. You guys look so cute!!
My goodness, your dad's words were just SO special. What a wonderful man of God. And what a special memory you have of your special day.
Happiest Anniversary to you and your husband...and many more!
GOD BLESS!
Thanks for sharing such sweet and special
memories. To be married by your father
must have made it all the more wonderful.
I love his words of love and wisdom for
the two of you. Happy Anniversary.
First off, Happy Anniversary! How very special to have been married by your dad. I loved what he said about giving 100%, not 50-50! Sounds like you guys took his advice and have had a really good marriage! Again, Happy Anniversary and may your Valentine be a good one!
Beautiful memory Sonja.
What a good looking couple you two are! Thank you for sharing these pictures and for sharing the important words that your dad prayed. Oh, how our young couples need to hear more of that today. God certainly blessed you with Godly parents. Happy Anniversary!
Sounds like you had a Godly heritage....what a blessing! You look as happy in your profile picture as on your wedding day......God has certainly blessed you!
I love hearing stories of how people met, their weddings, etc. Thanks for sharing yours!
Awww, this is so sweet. Happy Anniversary!
that is a precious love story . . . between a father and his
daughter and a husband and his wife. thank you for
sharing your anniversary and valentine's day with us!
my grandmother married hans and i, so i sort of know
how you felt. she also went to the family farm and
harvested some grain, which my mom then ground into
flour and made into our communion bread.
sweet memories.
Wonderful! I love the photos, but I love the prayers even more. Sounds to me like your prayer-warrior papa had a powerful impact on each and every one of your Valentine Days.
Well just look at that gorgeous Hollywood glam couple! You have been doubly blessed with a dad as your pastor. To have a hand written note from that special day...I'm getting goosebumps. What a glorious occasion Valentines Day must be for you!
How lucky you must feel to be so well "prayed in" for your wedding day. I feel sure that was only one of many prayers your father prayed for your marriage.
The hundred percent speech is so appropriate. It should have been distributed to all marrying couples.
In Norway one had to have a conversation with the minister before the wedding can take place. Nowadays to ensure that the couple are aware of the sincerity of the pledges they make, "in front of God's face," as the Norwegian ritual goes.
The sermon must have done you the world of good. Never have I seen a more open and happy bride.
Beautiful!!!!
What a beautiful memory to share Sonja... so special that it was your dad who performed the special wedding ceremony. And his words are truly words of wisdom. Marriage is not a contract, it is a covenant - 100% is truly required, whether the other gives his share or not.
What a great spiritual heritage you have received, and good to remember every Valentine's day.
Love
Lidj
Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day! Such wonderful words of advice from your dad. I love the pictures Sonja.
I'm so glad your dad was such a mighty prayer warrior. Even though he's now in heaven, his words have impacted me too. I am reading and rereading "The Seven Wonders of Prayer" by Armin R. Gesswein. It sits on my desk next to my Bible. Love to you and Carol Joy too.
love you,
Debbie
Happy Anniversary! This is so wonderful - my father's told his four daughters those exact words about both giving 100%!! You never hear this anymore. Everyone always talks about 50/50 today - both need to give 100%!!
What a beautiful couple!
Mimi
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