Winter Sky

Do you feel like our world has swirled out of control? I do.

I can honestly say my only grounding right now is my relationship with Jesus Christ. I know I can count on Him whatever happens in our world. Our country. Our state. Our city. Our lives. I can tell you my grounding began when I realized I needed God. That I was a sinner and needed to be forgiven. To allow Jesus into my heart and life. That happened a long time ago.

There were storms throughout my life that has battered me, just as we all experience. Storms of growing into myself. Storms of a challenging marriage where there was much conflict. Storms in illness. And storms of loss. Great loss. Death. But through those losses, my Rock, my salvation and stronghold was Jesus. He was there.

This morning as we read promises from God’s word, I was reassured once again where my hope and comfort are from.

16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT).

I pray you will experience the love of Christ as I have. May you understand, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 

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Jim and I often say, “We’re standing on the shoulders of our previous spouses,” because our previous marriages have benefited our present marriage. Although not perfect, our marriage is as very close to perfection as life can be on this planet.

Here’s the final tip:

8. Cherish each moment

In the wedding vows we shared with each other, we promised to “love and cherish.” What does cherish mean?

Cherish: to hold or treat as dear; to care for tenderly; nurture.

Hold dear every moment you have. Be thankful. Protect your relationship as though it were fine china. Next to your relationship to God, the relationship between you and your mate is the most important.

People often ask, “Aren’t you afraid you’ll have to go through grief again when one of you dies?”

We’ve learned from our own losses how quickly things can change. How like a flash that sometimes taken-for-granted clutch of the other’s hand, the warm hug, snuggles in bed at night can vanish.

We tell them we are grateful for every moment we have with each other and consider it a gift for whatever time is allotted to us. Instead of focusing on the length of time together, enjoy every minute. We enjoy being a servant to the other. We treasure life itself. There is so much every day to be thankful for.

One day, one of us will leave earth for heaven. It will be difficult, but it’s useless to worry about something that will eventually and inevitably happen. Both of us have learned God knows our days and knows the future. We’ve learned from experience that whatever happens, he will be with us through the valley. He promises us that. We will enjoy our precious time together, are grateful for every shared instant—and recommend you do that as well.

In our wedding program, we quoted C.S. Lewis   “Cherish,” used with permission here:

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entangle- ments. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

And it has been good……At last!

“Loving someone hurts. It’s a risk we all take. I don’t like it, but I’m not sorry. It is worth the joy,” (Jane Clark Dunn, 2018)

For fun, click above on the blue link to hear one of my favorite love songs, “At Last” sung by the late Etta James.

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Even if you are married or don’t intend to remarry, we suggest you purchase our book for a friend, family member, or someone desiring remarriage. You can read the final chapter for yourself. Click here for the link  Second Chance at Love.

Until next week, God willing.