In honor of Valentine’s Day, and all things lovely, I thought it would be especially appropriate to have a little contest. Now the contest will consist of you posting about a couple in the church (pastors and wives excluded) who have had a significant impact on you. It could be a child honoring his/her parents, a couple honoring another couple, a single honoring a couple…but not a couple honoring themselves 
. Now, I understand that honoring doesn’t seem like much of a “competition” or very “contest” worthy; but I am extremely competitive, so I think calling it a contest adds an element of excitement and intrigue. So a contest it is!
The prize is a $20 gift card to Bonefish Grill for the happy couple to celebrate their love on Valentine’s Day, or thereabouts, and a copy of What Did You Expect by, Paul Tripp, just in time for the Marriage Conference! (Fun facts: The Bonefish Grill has their signature dish Bang Bang Shrimp for half price on Wednesdays. And Chris Oliver calls the book “What was I Thinking.”)
Here are the rules:
1. Post about a couple who has made an eternal impact on you, has pointed you to Christ in word and/or deed, has caused you to see Christ more clearly.
2. Well, there are no other rules; this is a pretty straight forward contest. It just seemed more official to have 2 rules rather than 1.
3. Bonus points will be awarded for funny stories about the couple, in addition to their godliness.
The winners will be announced at the bottom of this post by Saturday evening. They can retrieve their prize at the Bookstore on Sunday. I am working on a small gift for the nominator…maybe just a high-five in the hallway, we’ll see….or maybe a little something from the Bahamas (read: tourist trap key chain or sea shell).
Happy Honoring!
UPDATE: Thank you to all of you who so thoughtfully honored these dear couples. Upon reading the nominations, I realized this was a hard assignment. There are so many amazing, God glorifying couples in our church. How can one choose a “winner”?
I loved the picture of Lois running up to Alicia on Alicia’s first Sunday. We have all been warmly and enthusiastically greeted by Lois. They have invested in many of our marriages.
Jack and Gina have been a beautiful picture of sacrificial love. I have benefitted from Gina’s example as a wife and mother.
Ken and Beejee have been a continual reflection of Christ and the church as they have walked through health challenges. They are so kind and fun to be around.
Don and Kim clearly love the Lord and the couples that God places in their path. They, too, have been such a blessing to many others.
Each of these couples consistently commend God’s faithfulness in marriage to the world around them in life altering ways. And although it is almost painful to pick a winner; alas, a winner must be chosen. So…
THE WINNER IS: DON AND KIM GARBER!!!! I love that Don would put a twist on “Mirror, mirror on the wall.” And that their investment in Stephanie resulted in her finding her future husband. A marriage resulting in another marriage…very Valentine-ish. Way to go Stephanie!
Don and Kim, remember to go to the bookstore to collect your gift. I hope you enjoy it.
This is a hard one. I am thinking of so many couples in our church that I want to honor. And I find that what inspires me and affects me the most in these couples’ lives is the loving-sacrifice that I see in their relationship. It’s the love that’s shown when life didn’t turn out the way they thought it would…..and yet they’re still committed to faithfulness and loving the other person. When disappointments well….and dreams are disturbed….and yet a love grows deeper and more constant for the other. As a pastor’s wife I know some of the untold suffering that others walk quietly with. Where the Unseen One is sustaining and helping…..and taking delight in the obedience of His people. Those people…..and some are young and some are old…..will receive much greater honor than I can give them. I look forward to the Great Award Ceremony in Heaven.
But for this contest……I want to nominate Jack and Gina Plain. All of us who know them are regularly inspired by their love for each other. We watch them walk out their vows of love and commitment in sickness and health. Jack’s health hinders him from regularly attending meetings…..and yet his presence is felt powerfully through Gina. Her love of Jack and respect for him…..makes you respect him. Makes you admire him as she does. His tender care of Gina makes you feel like this must be a picture of how Christ loves His church.
So that’s my vote. Can I get a witness?
(Cindy—that’s for Jack)
Beautifully put Cynthia. How to choose between so wonderful couples?!
I’ll testify to that and I’ll give a witness and finish it all off with a big AMEN!!
Carol Joy
I’d like to nominate Don and Kim Garber.
They have been the best aunt and uncle a girl could ask for. They allowed me to live in their home and be part of their family when I first moved to Lancaster. (If not for them, I probably wouldn’t have made that step and would not have met my husband! For this reason, Nate nominates them too
) They continuously reach out to me and Nate on a personal and spiritual level. Our conversations are edifying and I always leave encouraged and inspired. And their love for each other is adorable! Just listen to how Don talks about Kim and you’ll see what I mean.
And Nate and I are not the only ones who benefit from their care. I know there are many families in the church who have had Don and Kim babysit their children. Best. Babysitters. Ever. Kim is a master of children’s games. And Don is the funniest story teller. He puts a unique twist on classic stories. This Don quote is one from his version of modern-day Snow White, as told to me and my siblings about 15 years ago. *said while crazily miming typing on a keyboard* “Computer, computer, on my table. Who is the fairest, tell me if you’re able.” (Instead of the classic Mirror, mirror line. Genius.)
So yeah, Don and Kim are the best!
I would like to nominate Richard and Lois Sensenig. The first day I met them was my second day in Pensylvania to visit Brad’s family. The first time at our Church I barely walk through the doors and this lady comes screaming and running towards me. Lois grabbed my hand and yelled “your engaged”. “Umm no. This is a ring my dad gave me. Who are you” I cautiously replied. I am sure many of you hove stories of how the first time you met them. How you have felt like you have known them forever. They are such a blessing and example of greeting anyone they don’t know and for hospitality. Brad and I were also blessed after we were engaged for real, and married to be paired with Richard and Lois for post marital counseling. We were supposed to get together a few time and go through a book. Well we loved getting together so much it spread to once a month for at least two years. Their honesty and openness of their marriage. Their love for our Lord and Savor Jesus. Their encouragement. Their council. There willingness to tell you how it is even if they know it would be hard to hear. Constantly pointing you towards scripture. Are just a few wonderful trates of these two. They are a beloved couple that is loved by many. (And Richard I know this is full of many grammar mistakes but I love you. So glad you have that strength because that is not mine).
I’m a little late in seeing this (having a baby seems to put me a day behind the rest of the world…eventually I will catch up)! But I can’t pass up an opportunity to talk about my parent’s marriage (Ken and Beejee Herr). I have just returned from spending two weeks with my parents after having our sweet baby boy so I’m freshly reminded of what a Godly marriage my parents have. They have loved each other through so many seasons: sickness (I will never forget Dad’s tender love towards Mom during her cancer), health, raising children, children getting married and leaving, and so many more. Mom always made Dad a priority in her home. Dad coming home from work was the most important event of the day. I’m so thankful for the many ways they both have demonstrated sacrificial love for each other. I think it is easy to look at a couple that you don’t live with and admire their marriage, but to live with a couple day in and day out for many years and still be able to admire their marriage is a testimony to God’s amazing grace. Without a doubt this is the couple that has had the most significant impact on me through their marriage.