"There is just one place for me, I'm happy when I'm near you ~ It's wonderful as heaven, a special kind of heaven, but only when I'm near you ~ Times when we're apart I wonder how I can face my heart ~ Say you'll never stray ~ More than just two lips away ~ If my waking hours could be spent while near you ~ I would be content, wonderfully content, just to be near you Make my life worthwhile ~ By telling me that I'll ~ Spend the rest of my days ~ All of those happy, happy days So near you...." (Number one song in America the month and day my wife was born, 'Near You' by Fracis Craig and his orchestra)

Good morning. Today is a most wonderfully special day in our family. It is Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and, we are celebrating the birthday of the wife of my youth, Marilyn. An old preacher once said that sometimes you find someone who gets saved better than others. I feel the same way about my wife. There are those who are unique but in her case she's more unique. I should know. From the first time I laid my eyes on her, that skinny little bit of a girl up in the choir loft at a singing school some sixty three years ago until this very day, she stands out. I know that Proverbs 31 is often tagged on to someone's name without much thought. The context of that tribute is to honor a woman of distinction who willingly served the Lord, her family, and others. Last evening, myself and our three sons met at the restaurant and we did just that. We honored our woman of distinction because according to the text, that kind of woman deserves the honor and recognition due her. Because times are different today, it is somewhat difficult to make one to one comparisons from that passage, but, I can honestly say and I mean this in the most prejudiced manner possible, Marilyn, in an overall sense, better fits its description than anyone else I've known. And, may I say this about that: I'm known many wonderful Proverbs 31 ladies. In short, she is a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend, and, more importantly, servant of the Living God. 

I well understand this qualifies as being over the top, however, at our age we never know how many more opportunities we have to say what needs to be said. Our sixty plus years of marriage has not been a tip toe through the tulips. Having said this, I want everyone, everywhere, to know that God blessed me so very much when He providentially brought us together. I love her. I love her family. She loves me. She loves my family. The song "Whither Thou Goest" was sung at our wedding on that frigid evening back in December of 1964. I had no idea it was taken from the words were spoken by Ruth to her mother in law, Naomi. A mother-in-law song? Who knew? But, the text reflects on our journey together: From the Book of Ruth Chapter 1, Verses 16-17

But Ruth said:

"Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."

 

Okay, thanks for reading my blog today. Many of you know that I am speaking the truth of her demonstrated love for the Lord and others. May God continue to bless my dear wife as we face each day of the journey He has given to us, together. Amen.