Today is a day to celebrate and to praise the Lord, for thirty years ago today my parents were married. Thirty years ago, God Himself bound them together in love and has richly blessed them every day since. Through the years He has been faithful to them and has caused their family to grow. Now when their family gathers, they find themselves surrounded by three sons, two daughters, a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, a grandson, and two granddaughters. God is still causing this love and this family to grow, and I am forever thankful to be a part of it.
Recently, our family was very thankful to end the year on a wonderful note. God graciously blessed us in being able to spend the end of 2020 all together here in Washington. Even though some flights were cancelled and winter weather in the Midwest interfered with the original plan, every one of my Kooima family members made it safely to our home in the Pacific Northwest, and we spent some precious holiday time together during the last week of 2020.
The time all together is very precious, for it doesn’t happen nearly as often as we would like. My husband, children and I live in Washington state while the rest of my immediate family live in Northwest Iowa. God’s will and timing is perfect of course, but I admit we very often wish we could be together more often than once or twice a year. It makes the time together sweet, and the memories very dear. One night during their visit, we had eaten a meal together in my home and my dad closed in devotions with Psalm 128: the family happiness psalm.
"Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel."
-Psalm 128 KJV
My dad then reflected on how God has blessed him and my mom in the last thirty years, giving unto them children, giving them to see their children's children, and giving unto them that peace and that family happiness to enjoy. They labored faithfully in their marriage and walked in the ways of the Lord, looking to their Heavenly Father for guidance. Were they perfect parents and we perfect children? Of course not! Not every day was easy, and they experienced trials and sorrows too. Yet God continued to uphold and to bless them. None of it came about by their own strength or doing, but by His gracious and loving hand. Over the last thirty years He has strengthened them to glorify His name.
The following poem was inspired by my dad's devotional and the prayer of thanks he prayed after it. This poem and a print of our family picture is our gift to our parents on their 30th anniversary - something to remind them and to remind us how gracious and loving our Heavenly Father has been to us. We thank Him for thirty years and we pray for many more years of family happiness to come.
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Thirty Years
Thirty years together
What a gift to celebrate
A bond that’s grown in love and strength
Held together by God’s grace
Just a small town Iowa boy
Who fell for the Minnesota girl
Little did he know that she
Would change his entire world
Snow fell and winds blew cold
But come whatever may
It all began thirty years ago
On that January day
A little white house in Doon
Small but filled with love
As they built their life together
They thanked the Lord above
For He caused their family to grow
Bringing them so many joys
By adding to their home
Two girls and three boys
Just outside of Hull
They made that house a home
Making treasured memories
And helping their children grow
They feared and loved the Lord
Ever walking in His ways
Knowing that He would guide them
And bless them all their days
He brought them family happiness
He blessed the labors of their hands
Even through the sorrows
He helped their love to stand
Thirty years together
And that love continues to grow
As they see their children’s children
God’s covenant faithfulness to know
So many things you’ve taught us
So much wisdom you have shared
God has blessed us with a heritage
Marked out with gracious care
For all this we are thankful
So today we praise the Lord above
For covenant promises given...
For thirty years of life and love.
For Mom and Dad on January 11, 2021 - their 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are very thankful for you and your godly example, as well as the boundless love, wisdom, and guidance you have given to us.
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