A Diamond is Forever, but God is Faithful to a Thousand Generations

When our son, Cole, was younger, he often told us that if he ever got a girlfriend, he would jump off a cliff. In his little-boy mind, romance was worse than death. His declaration always got a laugh, but we assured him that someday he’d feel differently. Despite his resistance, we prayed that the Lord would bring him a godly young woman in his perfect time. Preferably, one who wouldn’t make him want to jump off a cliff, but rather jump into the covenant of marriage.

So, it was only appropriate that just a few days ago, in front of the world’s most spectacular cliffs, he asked his sweet girlfriend, Emili, to marry him. Both families were in on the surprise, and we watched the proposal from a distance. Thankfully, she said, “Yes!” so no jumping was involved—only happy tears, lots of hugs, and a day filled with memories I’ll always treasure.

We joke about it, but marriage really is a leap into the unknown. When we’ve found “the one whom our soul loves” (Song 3:4), we’re willing to jump into that unknown together. It’s not a perfect metaphor, but marriage is a lot like standing before the Grand Canyon. The path you take will undoubtedly twist and turn, but the beauty and adventure overwhelmingly beckon you to lace up your shoes and get going.

Standing on the edge of the unknown

Thirty years ago, I was where Cole and Emili are now. With the adrenaline of the proposal still fresh and a sparkly new diamond on my finger, wedding planning filled my every thought. It seemed that a million little decisions needed to be made, and yet bigger questions still loomed. What did God have in store for us, and what would the story of our life and family be? What joys and sorrows awaited us in our new life together?

Often, when I’m aware that I’m standing on the precipice of something new, my tendency is to be afraid. But when the future is overwhelming, and more remains unknown than known, we have to return to what we do know. We remind ourselves of God’s character and faithfulness. Corrie ten Boom said it best, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.”

As parents, we’re also facing the unknown, and we have questions about both their future and ours. We wonder what story God will write with their lives and where his purposes will lead. It is with joy and a unique sadness that we acknowledge that God seems to be calling Cole and Emili into missions. We, too, want the nations to be glad, but that gladness will inevitably cost us some sadness. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but I’m trusting that the Lord will prepare me (and us) when that time comes.

Faithful to a thousand generations

So as we look out on this new chapter, attesting to its beauty, we rehearse the truths we know. We trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness when we can’t see what’s in store. He’ll be faithful to our kids and our future grandchildren, just as he’s been faithful to us and to every generation before us.

Moses told Israel, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deut. 7:9).

“A thousand generations” describes God’s covenantal faithfulness that lasts for all time. His steadfast love has no beginning and no end. And I love that Moses points out that the Lord your God is God. The God whose faithfulness encompasses a thousand generations is not merely the God of history or of our ancestors; he’s your God now! We can trust him, and remember that our stories are a part of the tapestry of his bigger story—and that brings us comfort. The author and perfecter of our faith writes better stories than we ever could!

The stories that shape us

So, in this season of preparing for marriage, we expect Cole and Emili to receive a lot of advice and wisdom about marriage. But if I could share anything, I would remind them that when the path ahead is bumpy and treacherous, to return to the character and faithfulness of God. To remember that their God is God and he’s faithful through all generations.

The ring on Emili’s finger is a testament to that truth. You see, one of the side diamonds in her ring was once on my finger, and before that, it was on my mother-in-law’s. It was my joy to give that stone to Cole as a family heirloom, and he thoughtfully designed a new setting for their new union. Her ring is a visible reminder of God’s faithfulness through the generations. The diamond isn’t large, and there’s a tiny chip along one edge, but what it lacks in perfection, it makes up for in story.

Years ago, when it belonged to my mother–in–law, her dog licked her hand and swallowed the diamond. I’ll spare you the “dirty” details, but you can imagine what lengths she went to retrieve the diamond a few days later! You might say that diamond has been through a lot!