Twenty-one years ago today I started a journey that I never
imagined would lead here. In fact, back then I had no idea what I was doing or
why I was doing it. It sounds like a cliché for sure to say this, but “God knew”
and He already had it all worked out.
It was a sunny day in May, actually Memorial Day weekend. We
were at a waterfront restaurant in Philadelphia, and a gentleman who did not
know us except for the agreement we made and the money we paid him, came with a
piece of paper in his hand and asked us to repeat after him those words the
State of Pennsylvania deems sufficient to legally bind a man and woman for
life. Then he said, “I now pronounce you man and wife” …we signed the paper…and
the journey began.
I honestly had no idea who the Lord was, or how He had an
investment in and a plan for what we had just done. I attended a religious
ceremony every week, tried my best to be a “good person”, and went through the
motions of being a wife in the midst of the hardest time of my life.
The first 10 years of our marriage was not easy, as many of
you know. And yet for some reason I stayed. Until the time was right for both
of us to be broken beyond our own repair, separated, and the Lord had us exactly where He
wanted us. Our ears were open and our hearts were broken, and we were on our
knees.
When someone goes through an especially hard time it changes
them forever, and hopefully they come out on the other side stronger and more
equipped to handle other challenges that come their way. We had no idea at the
time, but this was the equipping we would need to draw on since the start of
2013. This year has so far been the hardest since our separation and
reconciliation. We have felt closer to each other and closer to the Lord than
ever before, and our marriage has been fortified as we walk through this
together, realizing that no one but the One who restored our relationship back
in 2003 has any idea how our past has prepared us for a time such as this. We
really don’t expect anyone to understand what this means. Just like we have no
idea how it feels to lose a child or go through a natural disaster. But we do
know that experiences like this build character, and give you a strength you
never imagined you would be capable of. And we know deep down in our hearts that
this only comes from the One we are depending on, relying on, and looking to
for our daily portion. To paraphrase the apostle Peter…where else would we go,
for only He holds the words to eternal life. We have no idea what the future
holds, but we know Who holds the future, and we trust Him completely.
My dear, sweet husband…I love you with a deep abiding love,
and thank God for the 21 years we have been together. As we walk into the next
21 together, with faith in Our Father, may we continue to be
strengthened by the fact that we are in this together…the 3 of us. Thank you
Jesus for being that third person in this marriage that keeps it together and gives
it direction and guidance...may we always be a reflection of Your love for us,
as we minister to those You died for. Thank You for reminding us that without
You we are nothing, but with You we hold the guarantee of eternity in
fellowship with You. What more could we want?! I love you Geiner, and look
forward to spending eternity with you.
