We Celebrate Eleven

My story is not exactly like Cinderella’s. I didn’t have a wicked stepmother or mean step-sisters. I was raised in a happy family with toils and trials, yes. But also lots of laughter and joy. My siblings and I still enjoy each others’ company. As I’ve mentioned, we meet each Thursday to share what’s going on in our lives.

It’s true for the small group that meets at our home weekly, too. We share a meal and discuss a topic, and then go on to either a Bible study, or topical subject pertinent to our times. The group is comprised of couples and singles. We share our joys and prayer each time we meet. This summer, we’ve lightened up on our studies and began a thirty minute “This is Your Life” segment for each person in the group. We usually do two people per evening. We’ve learned a lot about each of the thirteen or so of us at our meeting. Last night, it was my turn. It’s hard to compress all the years I’ve lived into thirty minutes and I tried valiantly to do so. When I dropped off to sleep after our evening together, I was reminded how much God loved me and was with me throughout my life. I’ve been so blessed.

I looked up the word “blessed” in the online dictionary. Here’s what it said: “divinely or happily favored; fortunate to have, do, or experience something: often used in a lighthearted way or to avoid sounding boastful.”

If you know my story, you know that times weren’t always happy and productive. I’ve never won the lottery–and actually, I’ve never bought a lottery ticket. I’ve had joys and sorrows and loss, but throughout those times, I was never alone. I always had the presence of my Savior, Jesus. Sometimes I didn’t feel like he was there even though he was. He promises he’s there. “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT). The quote is taken from the Old Testament:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31: 6,8 NIV).

I’ve had many happy and exciting moments in my life. Falling in love. Getting married. Having three wonderful children, one in heaven. I’ve climbed mountains, scrambled up rock faces. Crossed the Columbia River Bar and fished in the ocean. Flown in small airplanes with my late husband and son. Snorkeled in the Coral Sea, jumped waves in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, to name just a few of my adventures…

Yesterday, my husband Jim and I celebrated the anniversary of our first date. The first time we met we had only seen photos of each other and read snippets of each others’ lives. But there’s something about meeting someone face-to-face to really get the full picture of someone. It was eleven years yesterday when I received a call from a slightly nervous man who invited me to meet for coffee. Yesterday, we re-visited the same coffee shop. Reminisced about that first date and how quickly we knew we were right for each other.

We still are! We do many things together. And things apart. One of our passions together is our facilitating a grief group of thirteen weeks, called GriefShare. Since we married almost eleven years ago now, we’ve walked through the the road of grief with more than twenty groups. Heard the sobs and stories of loss. Most, although not all, recovered and rejoined life once again without that loved one.

Lately, we’ve challenged ourselves to study a marriage book and it has been good. We are adapting new ways of approaching each other with love and respect. Every relationship needs fresh new ideas that are really not new, but just re-examined and put into practice. That’s what we’ve been doing the last few months.

But yesterday, we celebrated! The wonder of God’s goodness in bringing us together. It has been a joy!