Promises Made. Promises Kept.

I promise you….if elected, I’ll…..
I promise you….for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, till death parts us…..
I promise you….I’ll never tell your secret….
I promise you….I'll be at your game (recital, performance).…
I promise you….I’ll be there right on time….
You know – all those promises someone made, or we made, maybe kept – maybe didn’t and regret it? Maybe we couldn’t help it when we broke the promise, but still, we were a promise-breaker. Oh, that we were able to ALWAYS be promise keepers. People of integrity, honor, commitment. People you can count on -- who are good for the promise they made.

I sincerely want to be a promise keeper, but who hasn’t, in weakness, fallen short on keeping a promise? Which brings me to the ONE infallible One Who we CAN count on. If He said it, we can believe it – it will come to pass. Maybe not in our timing – but always His.

Most of us who are Christ's followers have a favorite scripture promise we’ve memorized. It is the one we cling to during tough times and very often there are more than one. I am partial to Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” I also remind myself, on a regular basis, of this promise from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God kept those promises to me.

Some people take those promises and think if we click our heels three times, squeeze our eyes shut, like a great Almighty “treat” dispenser, all they’ve requested will be delivered as fast as Amazon Prime. God’s promises are not true because we believe in them. They don’t come to pass because our faith is great. God’s promises come to pass simply because God said them.

Our God is faithful. Everything He promised will surely come to pass. Sometimes it's not in a minute, month or year. We may have to wait for it. God promised the Israelites the promised land, but not all of them saw it. Some perished in the desert due to plagues, some due to earthquake, etc. Yet God was faithful in His word. He fulfilled what He said He would. There was a delay because the people disobeyed and sinned against Him and doubted Him despite seeing His mighty acts and power. If God says it, we can count on it. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

I wrote this blog because I’m thinking about the many who don’t believe in God because they've only known promise breakers. We live in a "fatherless" generation. So many don't know our Father God of promises and love and faithfulness. They live hopeless -- void of truth. I’m sorry for them. I pray for laborers into their pathways -- that their eyes will be opened to the love and mercy of our great God. He never fails in His promises. Maybe you've only known promise-breakers. I pray that you will come to know God Who is our great promise-keeper. And, for those of us who do know Him, may our purpose-driven lives be full of assurance that He will never fail us. He is our promise-keeper. Delays are meant for our good. The promise may seem slow in getting here, but I assure you – it will come to pass.

"Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." Romans 4:20-21

July 8th, 1966 -- Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Us!

50 years ago today, I married my best friend and the love of my life, and I am grateful for every second of it. I miss him today – more than ever. This day is one we looked forward to -- to get to celebrate the commitment we made 50 years ago to love and cherish each other until death do us part.

Those two young kids, so in love, had no earthly idea what was ahead for them. We loved and we cherished for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and though the words said “until death do us part”, the “until” part is incorrect. Beyond death, I still love and cherish that beautiful man that loved and cherished me for the 44 years, 4 months and 8 days we had together (plus the 5 years we had together from ages 12 and 13 – we married when I was 17 and he was 18). There weren’t many things we would do without the other, but this time, God’s plans outweighed our plans. One of us got their “early departure ticket” for heaven. He earned it, and God was ready to give him His best!

Yes, we came upon the “in sickness and in health“ part sooner than we could have imagined. Was it 44 years of wedded bliss? Heavens, NO! It was 44 years of a whole lotta beautiful times, but also a whole lotta tough times. Much of this young girl’s dream for “happy ever after” went by the way side – probably in the first week of marriage. LOL! My sweet husband worked a full time job, carried a full load of college hours and I worked at a $1.25/hour job to help make ends meet. Then at 3 months of marriage, my Sweetheart – the daring, bold and audacious risk taker that he was, announced, “I think it’s time we should start our family!” Bada bing, bada boom – 9 months later we had a beautiful baby boy that added to the mix of our young, naïve “happy ever after” world.

Probably the most challenging part of our first year of marriage was that we were two kids, flying by the seat of our pants, learning each day what love and forgiveness were all about. We’d argue about some of the craziest things. Oftentimes our quarrels were more like siblings than husband and wife. Our two kids learned the word for those quarrels was “discussions”. LOL! Oh how I remember the many times when I had to go to God for help with being a gentle, loving and sweet wife. I remember well, sleeping as close to the edge of the bed as I could get because I wanted him punished for something so insignificant. We had so much to learn.

As I posted a couple of weeks ago, however, our CENTER was God. We were always (eventually – sometimes later than sooner) drawn back to His words about LOVE in 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Heads up for the newcomers, and those who have made it for several years, bottom line – marriage is NOT easy. There are some really serious issues that come with the territory. That’s why we needed divine help. The vows that we said on our wedding day, 50 years ago, were real to us. We made vows before God, and we continued to call on Him for strength to make it through those times. We found that whatever the situations were that we faced, God was ALWAYS there to help us through it. None of our issues fazed God in the slightest. And best news of all – He could handle it. So much so, that our journey became sweeter and sweeter as the years went by. The depth of our love and respect for each other became pure gold. And, gold is the symbol for 50. I like to think that while my sweetheart walks on streets of pure gold today in heaven, my life continues to be filled with so many golden nuggets that include my family, friends and most of all, God’s love and peace that keeps this girl cherishing this GOLDEN journey of faith!

So, today, July 8th, 2016, I’m thanking you, Father God, for loving me so much that you showered your blessings upon me to the fullest. Knowing how our story together would end….I’d do it all again….and I’d say “yes” again and again. And to show how thankful I am…..I’m going to continue strong on this amazing faith journey, make more memories with our family and friends and continue writing many chapters in my journal that celebrate LIFE on this side of heaven…..until the day I get to join my Honey at HOME!
Happy 50th Anniversary, My Darling!

It Was So Good -- We Did It Again!

Day 363 of Photo Inspirations -- It Was So Good -- We Did It Again!
These photo inspirations are near and dear to my heart.  This day, 14 years ago, my Sweetheart and I resaid our wedding vows during our 35th year of marriage.  I'd like to say it was 35 years of wedded bliss -- all sweet, rosy and delightful times that caused us to want to repeat our vows, and there were plenty of those, but in reality, there were plenty of ups and downs, times we were just not on the same page. There were lots of challenges and struggles.  So on this 35th year of marriage, we were celebrating that we were two tough cookies that believed when we said our vows....."To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part", we meant it.  We stuck together like glue.....and as the years passed by, the bond we had became more precious.

Some of the vows I said were Ruth's words to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when Naomi told her to return to her roots after her husband, Naomi's son, had been killed.  But Ruth said to her, and I said to my husband, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." Ruth 1:16.   Who knew (we sure didn't) that I would follow my Sweetheart as he fell in love with the Catholic Church after having been a Protestant evangelist, pastor and teacher for most of his life and having had parents who were Protestant pastors for over 50 years.  Those vows rang true as  where he went, I went.   His love became my love.  The beautiful and loving Catholic people became my dearest friends.  The spiritual renewal that ignited the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in the 60s, and continues today, caused our hearts to burn with love for all of God's kids like never before -- wherever they place their love and commitment to Christ.  Today I am more active in evangelism and spiritual renewal than ever before.  Honestly, leading people to Christ and the abundant life He promises and gives, is my greatest goal in life.

These photos were taken at the "resaying of our vows" in a lovely Catholic chapel in San Diego, CA -- where we had just opened a Food Pantry to feed the hurting and broken people in that area.  The icing on the cake after that, was our sweet and tender time of recommitting to those beautiful vows we had spoken 35 years before -- this time we did it in full knowledge that the roads could be very bumpy ahead, but it didn't matter because our devotion and love for each other was worth it all.

I shared all this with you, my dear FB friends and family, before this year ends, to share with those of you who are married and are experiencing some tough times -- challenging times, but I urge you to be TOUGH and steadfast to your vows before God, because tough times don't last, but tough people, tough marriages, and taking tough stands on what commitment, love, trust, and devotion are all about, do.  It is worth every effort, because the toughest journeys make the sweetest victories....even greater.   Trust me. We proved it!

A Love That Lasts a Lifetime

Day 291 of Photo Insprations -- A Love That Lasts a Lifetime
I had that kind of love with my sweetheart.  We were going to grow old together.  We were already planning a big famly vacation to celebrate our 50th which would have been in 2016.  But my Sweetheart slipped out of this "heaven on earth" to be in the REAL DEAL -- Heaven in Heaven.

So, when I see older couples so devoted to each other, still holding hands, seeing after each other, and still desperately in love with other -- it makes me so proud for them. I often think about "the way we were" and "the way we would have been", but it doesn't take away the sweetness I see in others.

This precious couple, Bob & Coreen Marson, attend my church and if ever there was an example of devotion and love, these two have it.  They've been married 60 years next month.  Bob is Coreen's caregiver.  Several years ago she was diagnosed with dementia, but It only seems to have progressed to not knowing her numbers and some people.  If you didn't know them, you wouldn't know there were any issues at all. I think that's what Bob's tender loving care has done for her.  I see such love in her eyes; she's always smiling, and she loves it when we hug her.  She'll nestle her sweet head right into your shoulder.  And, Bob gives 100% care to her and he does all the cooking -- and that's a really good thing.  He was always the best cook as he handled all the pancake breakfasts, special events and meals by our Men's Ministries group.  He also helps get her dressed  and makes sure all her needs are met.

That's the way they covenanted together 60+ years ago.  For better or worse; in sickness and in health.  A love that has lasted all these years.  I heard someone once say "“Love is not a matter of counting the years, but making the years count.”  And they've done that.  I called Bob to tell him I was writing a blog about them and he told me the secret to their many years together was they have never gone to bed until they've resolved any issues they had.  He said, "It's sure good to get up in the morning and not have any thing wrong between us.  It's just so great to have a clean slate to start a new day together."  

Bob and Coreen have been through thick and thin together; they’ve weathered their share of arguments. It can’t always have been easy, but then, neither life nor love are!   Sticking together, even through the rough patches is a test of character and of the strength of their love.

I agree with the physician that once said, "The best medicine for humans is love." Someone asked. "What if it doesn't work?" He smiled and said, "Increase the dose."

Till There Was You

Day 185 of Photo Inspirations -- Till There Was You
Bear with me.  On this day, July 8th, I will always post about this special, picture-perfect day when my sweet man and I became husband and wife.  We held strong for this day -- for over five years -- and then, the wait was over.  What took us so long?  I needed to graduate high school before we got married. LOL!  My Mom had to consent and sign for me as I was still a minor, at age 17. Some said "It will never last!" I'm pleased to say we proved them wrong.

It was a wedding-on-a-budget.  My precious mother somehow managed to have just enough for us to have everything we needed.  My uncle walked me down the aisle (my dad was in heaven) and my brother sang our song, "Till There Was You".  I wore my sister's wedding dress. My bridesmaids paid for their own dresses.  The ceremony was officiated by my father-in-law, and in the church he pastored.  The two items that cost the most for our wedding were the flowers and the cake.  Our honeymoon wasn't at an exclusive 5-Star location -- it was Lake Texoma Lodge.  And, as I type this post, I assure you.....it didn't take big expense, extravagance, explosive fanfare, or perfection to create these precious memories that I have today.  I'm remembering what mattered most on this day.  Two kids who knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that they were meant to be -- that they were tying a knot that would last through eternity -- that they were in true love that would stand the test of time.

What is it that causes "until death do us part" to be the deciding factor that creates an unquenchable, unseparable, unwavering and unrelenting love that knows no end?  I'm not saying that there were never hiccups along the way or many times having reasons to walk away from the pressure and strain of "making it work".  But our vows said, "For better or worse" (and, believe you me....we had some "worst of times" and "For richer or poorer" (Lord have mercy -- we had some mighty poor seasons) and "In sickness and health" (we both knew "sickness") and "Until death do us part".  Those were our promises to each other and our vows before God.....and they stuck in the good times and the bad times.  I am saying.....tough times don't last...but tough people who have God as NUMERO UNO in the mix of literally everything that concerns them.....is what sustains, equips, and remains forever true.

My Sweetheart isn't here with me today, but the bells ringing, the birds winging, and the music singing that my brother sang about 49 years ago today......are still ringing, winging and singing in this heart of mine.  What was it that mattered most then?  What is it that matters most today?  The ONE common denominator -- God, Who blessed us with 44 years together on earth, and these 49 years, is still the ONE who blesses me today.  He is the ONE who continues to "ring my bells", causes me to see birds winging and each day causes my heart to sing".  Spending FOREVER with Him AND my Sweetheart will be awesome.....and FOREVER is a long, long time.