MY FORTY-FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IS TODAY! Thank You, Father, my marriage is blessed!

When Duane and I knew we were going to be married I lightly struggled with what my married name would be, Ann Marie Turner. Friends, it was no little thing to give up my maiden name. Thankfully, I have always fully realized the marriage was far more important than my first name…

You see, I had been Ann Marie Schacher (I’ve always pronounced it as – Shocker.) I loved that name! Still do! And: I love my first name too.

NOTE: Don’t call me Annie! That, I hate. Don’t even call me Anna. Many of my Mexican friends tried that; they didn’t succeed.

Yes, I loved my first name; my full name before marriage. Wisely and thank God, I love Duane more. I’ve never been one for keeping my first full name, nor adding onto it. I believe the family unit is a crucial covenant ordained by God. In fact, it is!

Selah.

So in my heart and opinion I went from this very unique and fun name to a boring, generic name. Duane knows how I feel about it. Of course, he doesn’t agree. But he knows I’m honest (a very good trait in a wife!)

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Identity! So much so that God is going to give us (those who return His love) a new name that only He and ourselves know.

I’m excited about that!

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY:

Song of Songs 8:6-7
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Revelation 2:17
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.