Jeff and I were married on September 17, 1994. This Wednesday we would have been married for 20 years and together 24. It seems like just yesterday that we stood in that little Nashville Wedding Chapel and said I do. Looking back we had no idea the blessings that our life would hold. We had no idea how God would bless us beyond our wildest dreams. The first four years were not easy, but we persevered and as hard as I try I will never be able to put into words what a blessing this man was in my life.

Jeff wrote me a note almost every day of our married life. I wish I had kept them all. I do have a few hundred of them that I keep safe in  boxes next to my bed. As I read through them again and again, I am just amazed how a man could love a woman so deeply.

He shared with me the deepest parts of his heart. He gave me that piece of his heart that he never gave anyone else, and he taught me how to do the same with him.

What a blessing God gives us in marriage. There is no other relationship on earth that is bonded together like a man and a woman.

On our 15^th wedding anniversary with a help of a friend Jeff had a beautiful breakfast table set up in the middle of a park. White table linens, flowers, music, and my favorite breakfast. I remember sitting in that park feeling like the most loved and adored person on earth. There were people all around but I could only see him and his love for me. That’s beautiful love. I remember sitting in crowded rooms of people and looking across the room and finding Jeff’s eyes on me, true love!!

I believe that God had us recognize this deep love that we had for each other years ago for just this time in my life. Jeff and I talked about it and we did not take our deep love for one another for granted. We knew we had been given a gift.

I hope this letter today of me reminiscing about my love will spur you on to go and love big and boldly on the love of your life!!

Today I encourage you to go pray with your spouse. Go and love them like God intended for you to love them. Go and play with them, hug, kiss, forgive, laugh and dream together.

Just remember my friends God tell us this…

Though one may be overpowered

Two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly

broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

So for now I keep this note that Jeff wrote me framed at my bedside. It reminds me that love really does go on forever, and that the promises of God do too!!

It was our last night at the beach. It was around 9pm and I had been sitting at the waters edge since about 7pm. This was something that Jeff and I would have done together, but this time I was alone.

One couple in particular stood out to me. They were an African American couple holding hands walking down the beach. He had a cowboy hat and jeans on and she had a plaid shirt and jeans on. All rolled up to not get their pants wet. I want you to get a picture of them, so cute. A couple probably in their 50’s almost 60’s.

I had thought it many times during the week, but it finally came out of my mouth out loud “ why do they get to be together Lord and not me and Jeff?” As soon as I said these words that sweet little couple stopped right in front of me trying to take a picture of them selves with the ocean in the background. I said “ I would be happy to take a picture of you all.” And the lady said “ that would be great.” So after the picture as I was handing back the camera to the man he said “ thank you so much, we have only been married a week!!” “ Wow one week, so you are newly weds.” “That’s so awesome!!” So I congratulated them and as I watched them hugging and kissing and holding hands on down the beach, I began to think of things.

The first was, how they were in their late 50’s and had just found love. I had 24 beautiful years with my love. Not nearly enough time for me I thought, but my whole adult life was spent with an amazing man who loved and adored me and who I loved and adored.

The sky was changing to a beautiful pink color and I knew the lesson was coming. Ha Ha

The second thing I thought was how could I continue at that moment to ask why Lord? How could I ask why to a God that has the power to change the color of the sky, A God that created the beautiful beach I was sitting on, A God that created an ocean that has no end. I was reminding myself that He has purpose in everything and that I will never understand until I stand before Him the answer to the why!

Okay, back to that sweet couple. You see when I saw them walking down the beach I had assumed that they had been together forever, prompting the why question I asked of the Lord.

Its so easy for me to start down the why road, but I am choosing to believe Gods word that says “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

I pray that the sweet little couple would have beautiful days together like Jeff and I had.

I wish I would have told them about my MIGHTY God that made that pink sky and blessed me beyond my wildest dreams in my marriage. A God that meets me at the waters edge to show me his power and remind me of  HIS promises!!

It was our last night at the beach. It was around 9pm and I had been sitting at the waters edge since about 7pm. This was something that Jeff and I would have done together, but this time I was alone.

One couple in particular stood out to me. They were an African American couple holding hands walking down the beach. He had a cowboy hat and jeans on and she had a plaid shirt and jeans on. All rolled up to not get their pants wet. I want you to get a picture of them, so cute. A couple probably in their 50’s almost 60’s.

I had thought it many times during the week, but it finally came out of my mouth out loud “ why do they get to be together Lord and not me and Jeff?” As soon as I said these words that sweet little couple stopped right in front of me trying to take a picture of them selves with the ocean in the background. I said “ I would be happy to take a picture of you all.” And the lady said “ that would be great.” So after the picture as I was handing back the camera to the man he said “ thank you so much, we have only been married a week!!” “ Wow one week, so you are newly weds.” “That’s so awesome!!” So I congratulated them and as I watched them hugging and kissing and holding hands on down the beach, I began to think of things.

The first was, how they were in their late 50’s and had just found love. I had 24 beautiful years with my love. Not nearly enough time for me I thought, but my whole adult life was spent with an amazing man who loved and adored me and who I loved and adored.

The sky was changing to a beautiful pink color and I knew the lesson was coming. Ha Ha

The second thing I thought was how could I continue at that moment to ask why Lord? How could I ask why to a God that has the power to change the color of the sky, A God that created the beautiful beach I was sitting on, A God that created an ocean that has no end. I was reminding myself that He has purpose in everything and that I will never understand until I stand before Him the answer to the why!

Okay, back to that sweet couple. You see when I saw them walking down the beach I had assumed that they had been together forever, prompting the why question I asked of the Lord.

Its so easy for me to start down the why road, but I am choosing to believe Gods word that says “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

I pray that the sweet little couple would have beautiful days together like Jeff and I had.

I wish I would have told them about my MIGHTY God that made that pink sky and blessed me beyond my wildest dreams in my marriage. A God that meets me at the waters edge to show me his power and remind me of  HIS promises!!

“Whatever occurs in the valley of tears, I know HE has chosen me.” I read these words over and over yesterday morning from a devotion I read every morning. I was fighting back tears preparing to go do a one of many “first” things this year. I was sitting in the car choking back tears, as I pulled out of the driveway to go to the Norton Cancer Institute where Jeff was treated. I was volunteering. I just kept saying to myself “ Sherry remember God has chosen you to do this.”

I turned on the radio and the song Broken Hallelujah was playing. These were all the words I wanted to say to God in that one moment of fear! I love how God comforts my heart with unexpected things.

Volunteering went great. I so adore all the people at the Cancer Institute. They will forever hold a special place in my heart. They are some of the most kind, loving, caring, funny, beautiful people I have ever met and I am honored to know each of them.

I came home feeling so blessed to be just a little part of their world again.

Here is the song that I sang to God. Happy Listening!!

“Whatever occurs in the valley of tears, I know HE has chosen me.” I read these words over and over yesterday morning from a devotion I read every morning. I was fighting back tears preparing to go do a one of many “first” things this year. I was sitting in the car choking back tears, as I pulled out of the driveway to go to the Norton Cancer Institute where Jeff was treated. I was volunteering. I just kept saying to myself “ Sherry remember God has chosen you to do this.”

I turned on the radio and the song Broken Hallelujah was playing. These were all the words I wanted to say to God in that one moment of fear! I love how God comforts my heart with unexpected things.

Volunteering went great. I so adore all the people at the Cancer Institute. They will forever hold a special place in my heart. They are some of the most kind, loving, caring, funny, beautiful people I have ever met and I am honored to know each of them.

I came home feeling so blessed to be just a little part of their world again.

Here is the song that I sang to God. Happy Listening!!