Month: August 2023

Psalm 77:14 says, "You are the God who works wonders, You have made known your might among the peoples." Psalm 78:4 says, "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done."

Today, my husband and I are celebrating our 43rd anniversary! Marriage, by its very nature, is a wonder. It is a wonder that it lasts. It is a wonder that it can survive thousands of life's storms and troubles. It is a wonder that two people of vastly differently personalities and values and beliefs can make a life that is better together than apart. And there's nothing better than looking into the faces of your children and grandchildren and seeing so much wonder in God's creative work.

Today, I am simply grateful for the wonder of marriage in my life! The countless blessings that have come to me because I married Mike. The countless ways that my life has been enriched by his gifts and expertises. The countless ways he has filled gaps that I cannot possibly. The countless ways that he protects and provides for the family. The countless ways that he uses his intense energy  to fight for justice, make crooked things straight, and fix what is broken or ready for the trash pile.

The dragon fly's bright colors and agile flight are symbols that remind me of the wonders of a 43-year marriage! By God's grace, our flight has been navigated with minimal turbulence and the colors have been breathtaking. I am blessed!

If I had to choose between receiving kindness or love, I honestly think I would pick kindness. Of course, I know that “cause-and-effect-wise,” love probably expresses itself as kindness. So, there is no need to separate these out. Love bubbles over as kindness sometimes. And I love being the recipient. I am grateful for the kindest people in my life.

One of my favorite sister-in-laws is Sherry. The word that most often describes her is kind. Sometimes I wonder how she became so kind. I have been touched by her kindness again and again, although I can’t see where there is any connection between nature and nurture to explain where her extraordinary kindness came from. It is simply a gift of God to be enjoyed by all.

Sherry posts beautiful photos on social media and I do see her appreciation of the beauty of nature being a familiar thread running through her brother’s (my husband’s) family. So, the sunrise you see here is one of her beautiful photos.

Sherry is much more than kind. I have seen her courageously battle cancer. I have seen her love her husband, children and grandchildren well. I have seen her care for family members in good and bad circumstances. I have seen her stand up to bullies. I have seen her be the kind of caring nurse you want to have in your corner. I have seen her stand tall during adversity. I have seen her be the adult in the room. I have seen her generosity and hospitality on many occasions.

I Timothy 4:4 says, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

I am thankful. I don’t get to see Sherry very often, but she is a pearl in a dark ocean. Many lives are richer, including mine, for knowing her. And I am grateful.

May the sunrise remind me of her kindness,
May the sand remind me of our shared love of the beach,
May the family I married into give me this reason to smile,
Reminded that Sherry's brother has a very kind sister.
May the rich orange of first daybreak
Give the promise of a colorful day ahead,
May the lone beach chair coax us to enjoy the sea,
May the clouds reflect daylight's promise.
A new day, new hope, new reasons to care,
Kindness exists, and I look up for it,
The quiet of the early morning whispers promise,
The reminder of kindness I found,
Like a sunrise in my soul is the heart of this girl,
I am grateful for Sherry.