By: Pastor Brian Horrobin

I think we would all agree that marking special dates is something that is a major part of our society. We celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Canada Day. We remember solemn events like the death of a loved one, the Holocaust, or the tragedy of 9/11. But we also pay special attention to birthdays and wedding anniversaries. This past summer my family travelled to Windsor one Saturday in June to celebrate an open house for a 55th wedding anniversary in the early afternoon, a surprise celebration for a 50th wedding anniversary later that same afternoon, and finally a surprise 50th birthday party in the evening. Whew, what a day! We were all tuckered out but it was so worth it. Today marks my 29th wedding anniversary to my lovely wife, Ruth. I’m not sure what we will do to mark this occasion, perhaps a dinner out, but the important thing is that we actually DO mark the date. We will likely reminisce about our exchange of vows as two young people in love who didn’t know all that they were getting into in the years that would follow. My wedding day is a day I remember because it reminds me of God’s goodness to me in giving me my wife. Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” So, this day I special to me. But do you want to know something? To a cancer survivor every day is special. Ditto for the refugee who found a home or a person who was released from prison. Each day is a blessing, so let’s mark them all with a prayer of thanks to the Father in heaven.