Almost Golden Anniversary

As June 6^th approaches, I have mixed feelings about what would have been my fiftieth wedding anniversary. Dean and I said our vows in 1976, but he passed away in 2018, just eight short years ago.

Saying our married life was blissful does not even come close to describing the varied emotions and experiences we shared. Let’s just say our lives were full. Full of fun, full of tragedies, full of times we despised each other, and full of times we loved each other.

What can I say, except that God must feel the same way about His relationship with humanity. We have witnessed both good and bad times with the Lord. And yet, He hangs in there with us. Not wanting to let go, and neither should we.

If there’s one thing my marriage taught me, it’s that love is always worth the sacrifice. No matter how brief the time or how difficult our circumstances, there is something there worth celebrating. I can’t wait to celebrate the best life has to offer when the Lord returns and reunites us with our righteous loved ones who are resting in their graves, waiting with us for that eventful moment.

Groundhog Predictions

Several famous groundhogs have predicted the length of winter in the United States since 1886. Some are more accurate than others. I am always drawn to the excitement on February 2 that centers around whether our favorite national groundhog, emerging from his den, will see his shadow or not. It seems this year and last year, he has seen his shadow, indicating that we will have six more weeks of winter weather. Not exactly welcome news for those who dread snow and ice, but happy news for those who love to play and have fun in a winter wonderland kind of world.

I'm drawn to the story of Groundhog Day, especially the part where he comes out of his den in the earth. It was on February 2, you see, that my husband passed away eight years ago. I'm looking forward to the time when Dean will also come out of the earth, when his ashes will come to life and God will give him a whole new, perfect body, one that death cannot touch.

Nothing compares to that prediction. It will be bring us a season of eternal celebration, for God will make all things new. "There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4 Goodbye, groundhogs and winter. Hello, Jesus and a new day!