Legacy of Love

[Our wedding day, 25 years ago]

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.” I Cor. 13:4-8

Why do weddings make us feel so good, make us happy and even intrigue us? Why

do we find ourselves misty-eyed when the bride walks down the aisle? Maybe it

gives us a feeling of pride for that couple because they believe they have found their

soul mate. Maybe because we know that God has led two people together to form a

“more perfect union” and they believe they are ready to tackle the future together.

Or maybe it’s because watching two people become one gives us all a feeling of hope

for our own future happiness. Whatever it is, weddings always draw a crowd of

well-wishers and a euphoric atmosphere.

[My parents, Larry and Peggy West, will celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary next week.]

In light of this past week’s Duck Dynasty episode which chronicled John Luke’s and
his fiancé`s (Mary Kate) wedding festivities, so many of our fans have reached out to
us to let us know they wish them well. They have also let us know how much they
our commitment to our spouses and the legacy we are passing down to all of
our children. The truth is that none of us had any idea what the future would hold
when we made those vows of “for better or worse”. Miss Kay didn’t know that Phil
would kick her and her three little boys out of their broken-down trailer in the
middle of the night after getting drunk, only to ask for forgiveness a few months
later. Alan had no clue that Lisa would have relationships with other men during
the first few years of their marriage. My parents had no clue that my dad’s job
would take them both far away from their families and anyone they knew to start a
new life with their brand new baby girl. And Jase and I could have never predicted
that we would have a child born with major physical challenges destined for a
childhood filled with multiple surgeries and pain. But we all took those vows
seriously, and we all sought help with our relationships. We all relied on God and
His commitment to us that said He would never leave us. Hebrews 13:5-6 says,
“…’Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The
Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

[Miss Kay and Phil renewing their vows after 50 years of commitment.]

[Alan and Lisa on their wedding day, over 30 years ago.]

There is nothing in this world that you can do or that can be done to you that will

make God leave you. Absolutely nothing. He is committed to His children. If you

question that, think about Jesus hanging on the cross. At any moment in time, Jesus

could have called on twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53) to whisk him away

from the pain he was about to endure. But he chose not to because of his love for

each of us. He endured torture, ridicule and a painful death because He knew it was

the only thing that would save us from eternal suffering. When you think of and

appreciate God’s commitment to us, it makes it easier for us to stay committed to

each other.

[John Luke and Mary Kate starting their life together.]

Will John Luke and Mary Kate always have an easy road? John 16:33 promises the

opposite: “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the

world.” However, they come from a long line of a legacy of love. And it started with

their Savior Jesus Christ.

Marriage and commitment takes work. But if you put in the effort, it is so worth it!

Legacy of Love

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