Our sweet Jenny is engaged to be married to Justin Mark McClure, a wonderful man of God. We are very happy for the journey they are about to begin. I know God has great plans for them. I look forward to watching His plan unfold.
We've heard much concern about Jenny and Justin's age. So, what is the appropriate age to marry? The Bible really doesn't give us much guidance on that, other than culturally. We can guess at the ages they married in Biblical times and I suggest to you that it was younger than we think. I know many who have married young and have wonderful marriages. Think about our grandparents. They were all much younger than the average age today. Why the age change. My thinking is a generation or so ago education and finances became a priority before marriage. Planning ahead is not a bad idea; however, should it be such a priority that you pass someone up as a mate that God has placed in your path just to have your education and finances in order? Or worse yet, should you battle staying pure to wait for the worlds appropriate age. I think we need to really look to God and Godly counsel for our decisions and not just the worlds standards and way of thinking. Maturity is another characteristic to consider. A very young couple following the ways of the Lord can be much more mature than the average 20 - 25 yr. old of the world. It seems like we see some grown adults these days living out adolescent lifestyles causing difficulties with relationships, finances, etc.
So, having said all that; we are excited for Jenny and Justin and we are ready to see and hear the testimony of the greatness of Jesus Christ with their words and actions as a couple.
I know that Jenny and Justin both love this verse. This is my prayer for the two of them.
1 Tim 4:12-13
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
NKJV
Now let me tell you about his sweet proposal. Justin called me and asked if I could make t-shirts for Joshua and down to wear that said ,"Jenny, will you marry me?" He and Annie had apparently come up with this idea. Anyway, I made shirts and Justin invited some of their House of Faith friends out to our house for the fourth of July. I told everyone that our children had special fourth of July shirts and a presentation for them. Everyone assembled on the front porch with eyes closed and Roy and I led the children around to the front of the house, lined them up and had everyone open their eyes. Jenny said she was trying to read the shirts when Justin got down on his knee and asked her if she would marry him. She was stunned, speechless. He said, "you better say yes, because I don't think I can do this again." She said "YES" shaking with excitement and joy. Jenny has a beautiful ring paid in full. Way to go Justin!!!
I'll post pictures as soon as we have them.
3 comments:
I agree that maturity is one of the main factors to consider when getting married, right up there with God's will and their true, pure, agape love for each other.
I've been reading a book by Peter Post (Emily Post's great-grandson; Emily Post, as we all (should) know, was the queen of etiquette) entitled, "Essential Manners for Couples" (only used quotes because I can't I don't know how to italicize it on here). In his book, Peter explains that etiquette is essential to maintaining relationships, and he defines etiquette as being "governed by three principles: consideration, respect, and honesty" (page 13).
One's maturity level is most assuredly demonstrated by the ability to include these principles into a marriage, or any relationship, regardless of whether you've been friends for ten years or have only just met.
Jenny and Justin certainly have a maturity that many people twice their age do not. Thank the Lord for great parents like Roy and Julie for training up children in the way they should go...
I can't wait to see Jenny dressed in white. ;)
Congratulations Jenny and Joshua and the whole Zesch family! These are exciting times in your life! Many may have opinions concerning your daughters life but only you and Roy have been given the responsibility to lead her, care for her and protect her and with that responsibility God has given you the wisdom and discernment you need. Too many times parents damage their relationship with their children because they want to have the approval of those around them. If God trusted you enough with your daughters care why shouldn't we. Great Post Julie!
Sweet proposal...cute idea! How fun it must have been to witness them pull it off.
As for age....well...shoot...biggest on my list has always been character issues...never given much thought to a set age before. LOL I guess we HAVE told our sons we want them to be debt free, have goals they've either attained or on the way to and be able to support their family should they chose to have a family and want wife at home...but there again adults need to have the independence to make their own decisions...so those aren't rules...just ideals we've passed on to them. LOL
Hmmmm....something new to think about an ideal age for marriage? Over here folks get married much older (mid-late 30's) than they do in the states...in other countries they marry at 12.
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