"I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?
Today is my girl's birthday. We've been together since 1993 and have seen all kinds of things in the last 18 years. We are blessed. Lots of our life points to the fact of blessings … 3 awesome kids, ministry that we get to share and have experienced, lots of connections, so many memories, and more.
The verse I started with has to do with how our relationship started. If you will allow me to tell you a story, maybe God will give you some hope like I needed when that verse became a reality.
It was in the summer of 1992 that I was ready to hang up dating or looking for a wife. Yes, I was only 21 and had lots of time left, but I felt like I'd never find anyone. At that time I was working at First Baptist Vidalia, GA as a youth intern with junior high students (I really enjoyed that 18 months). I recall in vivid color being at summer camp in Shocco Springs, AL when God began to talk to me about being satisfied with Him and with my situation.
I believe what I learned is that before I would meet anyone I needed to be satisfied with where God had me and satisfied with me. Oh, that was not easy, but in the coming months, I began to give my journey to find a wife to God. It included confessing that I will be who and where God wants me to be, single or married.
But is anything too hard for God? The answer is NO. Life went on, and ministry continued to be so sweet. In the fall of 1992 I began to pastor the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, GA. It was a transition that I was so excited about. Along the way I met Julie but with no thought of anything else because she had a boyfriend.
In December of 1992 I was ordained to the ministry by my home church, Skelly Drive Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK. That night someone came through the line and gave me a card. I can see the card and me shaking their hand but nothing else, especially not their face. But the words they said will always stick out in my mind, "I'm praying for your wife." I wasn't dating, and I honestly wasn't thinking about who this pastor's wife might be.
The next week God had a different plan. Julie had broken up with her boyfriend, and that boyfriend's grandma, one of my church members, was pestering me to call Julie and ask her out. I did. We went out the next week. As the old saying goes, the rest is history.
I've been blessed with an incredible partner in life. Julie is my helper, my friend, my kid's mom, my counselor, my pastor, my sounding board, my lover, my girlfriend and so, SO much more.
It really is hard to put into words all that Julie is to me and how I feel. Today is her birthday, and I want to tell you all that I love my precious wife more today than ever. I am proud of her as she continues to teach preschool, work on her master's degree, raise our children and live life with me. She is one wise woman (and that is not because she married me).
Happy birthday, Julie. I truly love you! I have found my treasure in you!
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.
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