Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16 NLT).
My husband and I sat in the high school auditorium waiting for our daughter’s senior class recital to start. We enjoyed attending our kids’ school events and were eager to hear Anita play her bassoon solo. When her turn came, I squeezed my husband’s hand and we smiled at each other. Anita’s performance showed her diligent practicing, and she earned a round of applause.
After the program, one of the English teachers turned to us and said, “You make a cute couple. I want a marriage like yours.”
Surprised, we thanked her then looked at each other. We knew it wasn’t Milt’s balding head or my plain-Jane farm-girl appearance that elicited the “cute couple” compliment. She saw something deeper. Perhaps she noticed Milt’s arm around my shoulder and the joy we shared during our daughter’s performance. But the real source went deeper yet.
Later, I wrote the teacher a note to share what made our marriage special. I drew a triangle shaped like a mountain. I jotted my name by one lower corner of the triangle and Milt’s by the other. At the peak, I wrote “God.” I explained that as Milt and I drew closer to God, we also drew closer to each other. God brought the joy and “cuteness” into our marriage.
The English teacher’s comment has remained with me as a fun, happy memory. Now in our empty nest years, sometimes I tell my husband, “Come sit by me since we’re such a cute couple.” I like that description of us. And when our lives reflect good deeds that cause others to praise God, I know God thinks we’re a cute couple too.
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and working in my life. Please help my life to shine with good deeds so others will praise Your name.
About Lydia Harris
Lydia E. Harris is happily married to Milt, her sweetheart for 48 years. She has two married children, five grandkids, and is the author of a Bible study, "Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting" (AMG Publishers, 2010 release). She's also a tea enthusiast and writes the column "A Cup of Tea with Lydia."
