Parents...

God created us male and female, a matched set, meant to face life together as a support for one another.  Never is this more true than in child rearing, that toughest of love jobs in life.  Taking a helpless infant and bringing them to adulthood is an arduous task.  It is one that is meant to be shared, a joint experience, uplifting each other's strengths while standing in the gap for the weaknesses of your partner.

My parents were ideal partners.  They each had their role, which they fulfilled joyfully and fully. They were united in purpose and ideals, and they worked together to bring us up to be decent people, adults with faith and values and a strong work ethic.  Day to life was filled with hard work, but they also had a lot of fun together, and with us.  We laughed, played games, talked over dinner, enjoyed our extended family and took many trips around the country to see and learn and experience the world in unexpected ways.

Even when that earthly partnership ended with the death of my father much too soon, my mother continued on their set path.  She struggled with the unfamiliar parts of her new role as single parent, filling in where she could, and allowing me to miss what my father brought to the relationship where she couldn't.

Their partnership inspired me in many ways.  They taught me about living in harmony with each other, how to listen to one another's needs and wants, how to honor someone without necessarily agreeing with every word, how to be intentional in a loving relationship.  I was among the most fortunate of people - we didn't have a lot of money, but they had goals and aspirations and they were willing to sacrifice to make them happen.  They taught me life skills I use to this day, and tried to instill in my own children, as well.

Today I am grateful for my parents.  God saw how great my need was, and he gifted me with the perfect pair of people to entrust with my life.  Pure grace.