6 years ago, I wrote this on Bev’s birthday. Pardon my
sentimentality as I re-publish these words that help me to remember the kind of
woman she was. That day it seemed that we had forever. But, the Lord chose a
much shorter journey for her on this planet.
Were we perfect together? Ah, time has a way of airbrushing the flaws
out of the picture and I know that. What
I can affirm is that we loved Him together, and His love kept us through the up’s
and down’s that are a part of this human experience. I am remembering her today, her 63rd birthday. May the life she lived inspire us to love
better, serve faithfully, and be ready to enter the Joy of the Lord as she did
on 12/29/2015.
_____________
Today is my wife’s birthday. Were you to guess which one
after seeing her, you would probably miss it by at least a decade. God and DNA
have been much kinder to Bev than me but I don’t mind, not even a little bit.
She is a gift from the Lord to me, more treasured with each passing year, my
complement in every sense of the word! I sang “Happy Birthday” softly to her in
the darkness this morning and reminded her that we are a team, inseparable,
stronger together by far than we could ever be apart. In that moment, all was
right with my world: God in His Heaven, my love at my side.
To watch her in her work- be it teaching her first graders,
leading a chapel worship session, or conducting a woman’s Bible class - is to
see grace in action. Her diligence is phenomenal in every season, no matter
what’s going on in her life. She loves me quietly with steady affection. She’s
not one to hang all over me in a crowd, but she will rise to my defense like a
lioness. She prays for her family and is my able advocate before the Lord. She
offers counsel to me that comes from a place of reflection and submission to
the Spirit. And, she’s beautiful.
The familiar passage in Proverbs describes her accurately.
It says, "She is clothed with
strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she
speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She
carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from
laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are
many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm
is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be
greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly
declare her praise." (Proverbs 31:25-32, NLT)
She’s tender, still given to tears when overwhelmed by
life’s sorrows; and she’s tough, resilient in the face of critics and the
stormy times that blow through every life. She’s sometimes thought to be
fragile, but she’s actually quite strong like steel covered with velvet. She’s
not perfect, but she knows her weaknesses and let’s God work in those very
places. I am blessed and thankful that the Lord gave me this gift and today I
say, “Happy Birthday. The world was blessed when you were born!”
This was our song …
I'll always remember
the song they were playing,
The first time we
danced and I knew.
As we swayed to the
music and held to each other,
I fell in love with
you.
Could I have this
dance for the rest of my life?
Would you be my
partner, every night?
When we're together it
feels so right,
Could I have this
dance for the rest of my life?
I'll always remember
that magic moment,
When I held you close
to me.
As we moved together,
I knew, forever,
You're all I'll ever
need.
Could I have this
dance for the rest of my life?
Would you be my
partner, every night?
When we're together it
feels so right,
Could I have this
dance for the rest of my life?
- Annie Murray
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