Dear Rose Park,
Today is Sam’s and my nine-year anniversary. Nine isn’t one of those milestone numbers like ten, twenty, or thirty but what sticks out to me is the symbol for nine years of marriage. Some of you already might know this, but each year of marriage is symbolized by a different item, symbol, gift, or theme. There are some quite interesting symbols for certain years, but nine might be my favorite.
According to Hallmark, year nine is symbolized by either the willow tree or pottery. This is very different than the symbol of leather (year 3), gold jewelry (year 14), silver (year 25), pearls (year 30), or a diamond (year 60!). The willow tree symbolizes strength and flexibility, something any healthy and growing relationship needs, and pottery represents something that has been transformed and shaped over time to make a beautiful masterpiece.
These two symbols seem fitting for a relationship that likely has seen some growth and change (children, jobs, moves, etc.) but still has so much growth for the future. As a pastor, I can’t help but see these two symbols and consider how they might also be a symbol for our relationship with Christ and His Church. So, if you’re willing, consider: are you growing strong in your faith and knowledge of God while also remaining flexible to the movements of the Holy Spirit? Are you growing in your maturity as a spiritual parent to the next generation while also remaining flexible and teachable to the authority of scripture? Are you allowing the Spirit to shape and mold you within the Church body to the person God is calling you to be over the long haul?
These two beautiful symbols might not be explicitly named throughout scripture, but their characteristics are definitely mentioned and taught. Psalm 1 calls us to be trees with roots that run deep into the rich soil of hope and to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God with strong branches. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that we are clay in the Potter’s hand to be shaped and molded into service for the Kingdom of God. Even the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians reminds us we have this treasure (referencing the light and truth of the Gospel) in jars of clay to remind the world of the power of God.
So, though it might be our anniversary today and we’ll be celebrating nine years of growing closer together, let us all celebrate God’s faithfulness to us as we continue to plant ourselves by streams of living water, bear fruit in our seasons, and prosper in all that we do for the Kingdom of God.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark