The Forever Journey

I don't know if I can be very 'spiritual' this morning.

Don't get me wrong, the fan is blowing, the sparrows are bouncing in the puddles of water from the rain shower we had this morning, and the soft rumble of traffic is beginning to get louder. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon and everything is washed in an orange glow. It's very peaceful at this moment.

Actually, I'm steeling myself to go out and face the day in light of what day it is.

Thirty-six years ago, I stood nervously before a young woman I barely knew, and put a ring on her finger. We were married on a Friday. It was more of a protest than anything else. I am not superstitious and wanted to make a point of it. Friday the 13^th will always be a day of joy for me.

No, I'm not some sappy, dopey, guy who's relegated his marriage to a sugary sweet syrup unfit for human consumption. Glenda and I don't fight. We disagree, but we don't fight. There are childhood reasons we don't fight, but I also realize that there are couples who must fight. For some couples the fight is the only way they reveal how they really feel about things. Personally, I don't want to know how my wife 'really' feels. I'm sure she would not like to know some of my twisted inner workings. You see, I'm not silly enough to think she doesn't already know who I am and what I think. The things she doesn't know, the things I've laid aside over the years, are only hurtful and selfish. It is pride and selfishness that somehow makes us want to make sure our partner knows they have failed us. You see, I discovered long ago, Jesus is the best person to tell my hurts to. If I tell my family, they may not forgive Glenda as quickly as I will. If I tell my best friend, they don't love Glenda like I do, and will begin to pat my po-po, and tell me I deserve better. If I tell the Lord, he simply reminds me that I'm not perfect either.

You see, God likes Dave and Glenda. He likes the unique person we are together. He loves us individually, but he likes who we are together. I'm sure that when he assigns angels to protect us, he always refers to us as Dave and Glenda. When he is proud of us, it is Dave and Glenda. When he is disappointed in us, it is Dave and Glenda. You may be asking how I know this? One little scripture, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” God is a forever God. I'm not arrogant enough to split what God has joined.

Thirty-six years ago, we were thinner, sweeter, more open, laughed easier, played harder, worked longer, and couldn't let each other go. Today, we ache all over, move slower, snore louder, don't want to work any more, and have learned to let each other go. I still pat her rear as I pass her, stare into her eyes during meals, and love to hear her raucous laugh when her funny bone is tickled. This weekend, we spent our time with our daughter Amy, and her children at Silver Dollar City. There would have been a day when we would have secluded ourselves away in a hotel and . . . well you know. Not one to ride thrill rides, I volunteered to keep little Avery while Glenda took the older grandchildren with her . As I watched this marvelous woman in her native environment, I wondered if I'd taken the best years of her life from her. I'm an old fuddy duddy who prefers a good book, science fiction movies, or video games. She likes running from place to place, amusement parks, and funny movies. Her patience is endless, and her willingness to play is priceless. The grandchildren love her, and cling to her. It is as it should be. As I watch her, I'm taken back to when our own children were that age, and we went to Knott's Berry Farm. She wore them out. Still, to this day, my children and grandchildren know that she is always up to 'fun.' She is my opposite, but I like it. I have fun just watching her have fun.

Now, when I look at her, I see three children, five grandchildren, endless parades of friends, thousands of church services, hours spent together in vehicles traversing the country from one side to the other. We've been blessed to do things and live places other people only dream about. We've lived on the edge of our Christianity, and then been totally buried in it. We've seen death, life, joy, fear, and the inestimable injuries of words casually said.

When Glenda and I were first married, I always referred to us as 'we.' If someone asked me to do something, the answer would always come back couched in 'we.' Somewhere along the years, I let myself become selfish and wondered 'what about me?' Then God, reminded me, even though he still loves me, he loves us more. It was a hard lesson for me to learn. Learn it I have.

My most precious bride, I love you more than words could ever say. You are ever and always my heart, my soul, my flesh. I've finally got it in a way that only death can part. Yes, I'll make this forever journey with you, we will finish this journey together.