Sometimes Life is like a Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, a friend of a blog writer became ill. 
So ill, in fact, that she died.

The writer was heartbroken, having lost her dear friend, whom she had known and loved for many years. 
The writer did not have enough words to describe the vast hole her friend's departure left in her life.
But her heartbreak could not compare to that of her friend's husband and children. 

The husband is a knight in shining armor, as gallant and kind as they come. 
He grieved for several years. 

Then one day, his doctor said, " I have a prescription for you.  I am giving you the name of someone I think you will like. 
Call her."

Hesitating at first, and praying a lot, he called her. 
They talked.

He learned that she was a loving wife and mother for many years who had lost her husband to the same dreadful disease. 
Her heart had been broken, and her life had been hard. 

She is elegant, graceful, wise and loving. 

They are a perfect match.

The wedding was yesterday. 
Two hearts, two families who have endured so much, are now one.

Friends came from near and far.  So much was felt and expressed at that glorious celebration. 
There was love and honor for the lost loved spouses, for the children and grandchildren. 
And for the life companion each one has now found in the other. 

And, of course, words of thanks for their mutual doctor, who brought them together.
Doctors' orders were followed here.

The blog writer, though missing her friend still, was very happy. 
And she is certain her friend would be, too.

"I waited and waited and waited for God. 
At last He looked; finally He listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from the deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn't slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise song to our God. 
More and more people are seeing this;
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God."

Psalm 40:1-3 from The Message
selection from wedding program

A River of Water

An early evening stroll in the neighborhood made us realize again just how hot it was.  The heat radiated off the concrete and we kept to the shade at the sides of the road.  Rain had not made an appearance for several days and there were deep grooves in the ground between the curb and sidewalk.

Then suddenly, a stream of water was headed our way, running downhill from somewhere up the street.

Our parched street was transformed into a water park!

Running, splashing, laughing! 

We were all 4-years-old.

The source of the water is a mystery; perhaps it came from a draining swimming pool.  To us, it was a like a mountain stream and that's the way we want to think of it.

Jesus said, ".....Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst - not ever.  The  water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."  John 4:14

Happy Independence Day!

On the weekend of July 4th, 1976, we pulled into our new home town of Dallas, TX.  We drove a UHaul truck from Miami, FL into a kind of summer heat I had never before experienced.  I was accustomed to the wilting humidity of south Florida but this was something different.  Imagine standing in front of a blow dryer set on high....

My kitchen comes close to that first Texas summer experience.

Within a few days, we had found an apartment and connected with Dallas Theological Seminary where Larry would soon be consumed by the demands of a rigorous program. 

But first things first!  This was 1976, the bicentennial  celebration of our country's birth.  We had fireworks to see!  And so we did, at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park.

Since then, we've been blessed with many more celebrations on the 4th of July. We will celebrate again today, with heartfelt thanks to those who have made eating watermelon and watching fireworks symbols of freedom.

Galatians 5:1  "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."