My Gentle Giant and My Wonderful Savior

This week had two very significant days for me.  It was the 2 year anniversary of Floyd's passing.  The missing him certainly doesn't go away, but the pain of grief is so much less.  Truly God brings healing and fresh grace to our wounded hearts.

I love special days.  And I love celebrating on those days.  In our busy life and with Floyd traveling a lot, that wasn't always possible.

But we tried.  Often we had to celebrate on an alternate day, but we always celebrated!  God loves celebrations.  You see that all through the Word.  He's a God of celebration!

So, even though I'm alone today without dear Floyd, I'm celebrating that we started our journey in marriage together 56 years ago today.  Oh my - we had no idea what was in store for us!!!

All this week so many memories have come flooding back about our beginning.  I want to share one of them with you.  I was 18 - Floyd was 21.  We were "young" in so many ways.  We did a lot of growing up and maturing together after we got married.  We were so idealistic, and out to conquer the world for Jesus!  Our plan was to leave 3 days after our wedding to lead teams in outreach in the Caribbean islands.  I have to admit that it wasn't the wisest plan - I wouldn't recommend it to other newly wed couples.  :)

As was so often the case through our years together, we were trusting the Lord for finances for that outreach....sometimes we were trusting  right up to the deadline of departure.  We were getting organized to leave when a dear lady turned up at the door.  She attended Floyd's dad's church, and knew we were leaving on a missions venture.  She walked in and handed us a shoebox.  She explained that she worked as a waitress and she put all her tips in that box.  It was mostly coins with a few dollar bills here and there.

She went on to explain how she had always wanted to be a missionary, but that wasn't how things had gone for her life.  She wanted to give us her shoebox of tips as an investment in the Kingdom for the outreach we were going on.  I can tell you that many tears flowed as she shared all this.  It was so humbling.  It was actually really hard to accept. 

Many times through the years as we've served the Lord in various ways, I've thought of that dear lady.  She has been part of everything we've done.  God treasured her investment, and someday she'll reap an eternal reward!!  It was a special beginning to our life together - something we never forgot!!  We often prayed for her to be rewarded in ways only God could do.

I hope this story blesses you.  It reminds me of the story in the Bible of the widow who gave two small copper coins.  Jesus told the disciples that she gave more than the rich, because it was all she had!  

I've been thinking recently how sometimes it's easier to trust God for the big things rather than the little things.  I'm not sure why that is.  Maybe it's because the big things are so much more noticeable.  The little things can sneak in without our being aware of them.

Recently I've been facing both - big and little things.  It caught me off guard, but, when I noticed it, I immediately heard the Lord speaking sweetly to my heart that He could handle both at the same time.  He is so awesome, capable, and faithful.  And He wants us to bring everything to Him - big things, and even tiny almost unnoticeable things.  I've been doing that, and have been receiving His grace for both.

I've also had some pretty rough days this week and I’m so grateful for His wonderful help and grace. 

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."  Psalm 63:1-5 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze...Since you are precious in My sight...and I love you."  Isaiah 43:2-4

I'm without Floyd now, but I continue on the journey the Lord started us on on our wedding day.  I'm so grateful for the years we had together.

On good days and on hard days - I lift my voice and hands in praise to our wonderful God!!