I flew into Buffalo, NY late Saturday night and drove with my parents to a skilled nursing facility where my grandparents live. I had come to the States for one reason - to join the celebration of my grandparents' 70th anniversary. It had been a last-minute decision, so it came as a surprise to my grandparents.
As I sat with my grandmother while the others were preparing for the party, I asked her if she had any advice for those of us with less experience.
"Keep it going," she said simply. Then a few minutes later I overheard a conversation my grandfather was having with one of the guests. Upon learning that they were celebrating their 40th anniversary on the same day, he said "Keep it going." Hearing the same words from the two people who have kept it going for 70 years made an impression on me.
In fact, the more I thought about the message I realised there were two very important implications. First was the obvious one: commitment. In our 10 years of marriage Petra and I have had many wonderful moments mixed with several difficult times. Certainly God provides grace for us to get through the difficult moments, but there's also the need for determination and perseverance on our own part.
The words don't just apply to marriage. Grandma's words echoed several passages in the New Testament.
...Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . (Heb. 12)
...straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on . . . (Philippians 3)
But there was another thing I heard in my grandparents words. Keep it going to future generations. My grandparents' 70 years of marriage conveys to their children and their children's children the importance of commitment. It's a value often lost or taken for granted. Her challenge to me was to continue passing on the tremendous virtue of commitment.
As I sat with my grandmother while the others were preparing for the party, I asked her if she had any advice for those of us with less experience.
"Keep it going," she said simply. Then a few minutes later I overheard a conversation my grandfather was having with one of the guests. Upon learning that they were celebrating their 40th anniversary on the same day, he said "Keep it going." Hearing the same words from the two people who have kept it going for 70 years made an impression on me.
In fact, the more I thought about the message I realised there were two very important implications. First was the obvious one: commitment. In our 10 years of marriage Petra and I have had many wonderful moments mixed with several difficult times. Certainly God provides grace for us to get through the difficult moments, but there's also the need for determination and perseverance on our own part.
The words don't just apply to marriage. Grandma's words echoed several passages in the New Testament.
...Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . (Heb. 12)
...straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on . . . (Philippians 3)
But there was another thing I heard in my grandparents words. Keep it going to future generations. My grandparents' 70 years of marriage conveys to their children and their children's children the importance of commitment. It's a value often lost or taken for granted. Her challenge to me was to continue passing on the tremendous virtue of commitment.
The overall focus of our ministry in Croatia is discipleship. Our passion is to see kids and teenagers grow in their desire to be committed followers of Jesus Christ. During this particular season we've had a tremendous opportunity to work closely with these young teenagers. Our goal is to see them pass on the good news to their friends and model discipleship for future generations.
"Keep it going" is very much dependent on prayer. Your prayers for each of the individuals in this picture is much appreciated. Please also pray for our family as we're in the middle of the busiest season of the year - camp. There are several requests on the right side of this site, but if you're interested in praying more specifically we would love to send you a list of how you can pray for each week of camp. You can write to us at jeremy.bohall@gmail.com.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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