But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Today’s post is a response to my parents’ number sixty-seven wedding anniversary (May 24, 1952).

Over the course of their married life Grace and David Maul have lived in three municipalities: Folkestone, England; Sarasota, Florida; Wake Forest, North Carolina. Equally significant, they have been committed to just three worshipping communities: Folkestone Baptist Church; The Tabernacle; Wake Forest Presbyterian.

Unshakable Foundation:

Having my mum and dad next door, here in Wake Forest, provides a symbolic bookend to the years they laid such an unshakable foundation of faithful love to build my life on. It has been forty-four years since I moved out of the red brick home across the fields from the North Downs in Kent, but who I am is still firmly grounded in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) that was modeled by my parents.

So here is the official wedding anniversary photograph. You can see where sixty-seven years of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness (especially kindness), goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control add such serenity and confidence to the photograph.

I recommend all those attributes, applied liberally (especially kindness); if, that is, you are interested in pursuing a life that reflects the quality of sustainable love that continues to define the beautiful spirits who live next door.

My mum and dad. Happy anniversary again.

Love and blessings, always – DEREK