Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a sense of God’s presence with you. Rain is predicted today but we are hopeful for no rain the rest of this holiday weekend. I plan to bake and clean today as tomorrow we are going to the cabin for a couple days and have a picnic with relatives etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Soon we are going to the wedding of our first granddaughter who is very excited to marry the young man who she loves deeply and has gone with for 6 years. They know each other well and our son has given them their pre-marital counseling and will be officiating at the wedding. We are glad they are choosing to get married for marriage sustains their love, more than just good feelings and intentions.

In marriage each couple forms their own routines and rituals. Neither person will be ecstatic and interesting and beautiful all the time, but they find their own rhythm. Marriage will sustain the relationship when they are tired and a bit grouchy, for they will live out their commitment to God and to love one another for better or worse, for rich or poor and til death parts them.

When Al and I first got married we could hardly bear to be apart to go to our individual jobs; but as time went on life becomes more routine and we have those close times together, but we also have spaces to be apart. We both desire to keep growing in our love for the Lord and our commitment and love for each other. That can speak volumes through our actions. While at a previous hotel we found out after we checked in and got the last room, that they were renovating the hotel. I was especially disappointed as I like to retreat, and the desk had no light along with the whole side of the room. That meant as it got dark, I could no longer read and study and write at the desk. Al was thinking of me for when he came back from his walk, he came in the door joyfully carrying a big lamp that he was able to get from the manager. Love willingly goes out of its way for one another and marriage keeps us faithful to the commitment. Marriage gives us the extra push to love in all seasons and causes it to deepen in appreciation of the longevity of the relationship. Though our culture acts like marriage is on the outs and fragile, it is a deepening relationship of mutual love.

Challenge for the day: Speak encouragement into the marriages of those nearest you.
Blessings on your holiday weekend and prayers and love, Judy