Legacy of Marriage

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Debi Walter

We do well to take thought of how our marriage and our commitment to it influences the lives and choices our children and their children will make.

Today was her day for all of her 90 years. My grandmother was born on March 2, 1889, in the small town of Neodesha, Kansas. I know much about her because I’ve been working on a book based on her life for the past 10 years. It has been quite the journey for me as a writer, but even more so as her youngest granddaughter who carried much regret with not getting to know her better while she was alive.

But her faith and commitment has spoken volumes to me after her death. As will ours to our children, if we let it.

I come from quite a legacy of marriage.

My grandparents were married for 57 years before my grandfather passed away in 1963. My parents were also married for 57 years before my Dad passed away in 2004. My sister and her husband will celebrate their 39th anniversary this summer, and my brother and his wife were married 5 weeks after Tom and me. They will celebrate their 33rd on April 1st.

I’ll never forget the realization of this legacy as we all sat together at my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary party on July 5, 1997. What a legacy. Have our marriages been perfect – certainly not. But we all have one thing in common – commitment, and this by God’s grace at work in our lives to help us stay the course.

I believe my marriage is bearing the fruit of my grandmother’s prayers. She prayed I would marry someone like Tom, who would love me and care for me. She lived to meet him and died only 4 months after our wedding day. There isn’t a year that goes by when on March 2nd I don’t remember her and offer a prayer of thanks to God for her example in my life and the legacy of marriage I’ve been given.

My grandparent's 50th Anniversary circa 1956

Now it’s my turn to pass it on to my children and their children. I’d say we’re off to a good start – our daughter will celebrate her 7th anniversary this May and our son will celebrate his 6th anniversary this June. Isn’t God good?

What legacy are you leaving for those who are coming along behind you?

About Debi Walter

Tom and Debi have been sharing encouragements through their blogs for many years. Marriage, Reading God's Word and documenting family history is our focus. Growing in our relationship with the Lord is primary in all we say, write or do. We are grateful for all who desire to join us in the same endeavors.
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6 Responses to Legacy of Marriage

  1. Cindy and Steve Wright says:
    March 2, 2012 at 11:22 am

    Faithfulness… living out our promises, despite obstacles that shove in front our way… and unconditional love. How we pray our sons, daughters-in-love, grandchildren and everyone else we know –but ESPECIALLY our God, sees this as our legacy. We love the song that Steve Green sings titled, “Find us Faithful.” The words to the chorus sum up a prayer of our hearts:

    “Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.
    May the fire of our devotion light their way.
    May the footprints that we leave
    Lead them to believe
    And the lives we live inspire them to obey…
    Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful!”

    How we pray we will be found faithful to the end –that we will finish well in lavishly loving our God, each other, our children, our grandchildren, family, friends, and all God brings our way. May our lives reveal and reflect the heart of Christ… leading them to say, “I want to know your God better!”

    We love you and Tom and the amazing legacy you are living out everyday! -Cindy & Steve of Marriagemissions.com

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    • Debi Walter says:
      March 2, 2012 at 4:47 pm

      Steve and Cindy,
      What a joy it is to work with you together in a similar fashion. From our vantage point, you are seeing God answer your prayers in “lavishly loving our God.” Thank you for your willingness to give of your time, your love and your care for people with whom you’ve never met face to face. We’re grateful we’re not among those, but have actually been able to spend precious time with you both.
      Only eternity will reveal the fruit you’re harvesting. Thank you!

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  2. Bonnie Anderson says:
    March 5, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Lovely post, Debi. We, too, follow quite a legacy of long marriages. It is such a blessing to be in a family where that is the norm.

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  3. John says:
    March 6, 2012 at 11:42 am

    What a tremendous legacy of commitment, love, and honor!

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