Hello, from the front porch!
Well, today as I was browsing through my pictures I came across a picture of a handsome young man. Recognize him? Hope so...The Preacher from a long time ago and in a far away place...well maybe not too far away...seems like a long way from Texas though...do you recognize the hills of Kentucky? You can see snow-if I recall this was one of those Spring Easters that was blessed with snow.
It was taken in front of the original "Gabbard Tabernacle" in the late 60's. This was the Dodge Coronet he drove. It ranks up there with one of the worst running cars we had. Well, he actually inherited it from his older sister, Charlotte-we also drove it when we were first married. It was a light yellow and thankfully Dodge did improve their quality of cars...this particually model did 'bite the dust' and rightfully so.
Anyway, still not sure what the Preacher actually saw in me that made him fall so madly in love with me and stay so madly in love with me all these 39 years (you are kidding right????) anyway what a fellow! I lived right around the 'corner' just over some of those hills in a little 'shack' of a house...no running water...no inside plumbing...another story another day perhaps....
Does he have his ‘moments’? Yes, indeed don’t we all. Kinda drive each other crazy, frustrate each other…but with God and the Holy Spirit...it seems we kinda stick together with a special kinda glue that bonds us into that 'one flesh'. Amazing....for I don't know if there are any two people who were such 'opposites' but here we are 'still standing with each other ...39 years later.
But if I had to do it all over again, I’d do it again, fall in love with the Preacher man, have four wonderful children, and eight fabulous grandchildren, and then follow him as he followed his dreams and goals and live all the places we have lived and met all the people we have met.
God has woven a pretty interesting tapestry for our lives and it has been a good life overall. Preacher still pretty handsome in my eyes, as it should be! That dark brown hair is now gray (well what is left of it), still has those sparkly blue eyes some of our kiddos and grandkiddos have inherited, still loves his chicken, sports and clearly devoted to his God, and his family. I’ve heard most of his stories and jokes a thousand times it seems now, but still laugh at them. Heard him preach countless times now…but still he can allow God to open up a new depth to the scripture and allow God to use him and bless those 'who have an ear to hear'.
He is supportive of me and all our children! Thinks each one of them can ‘hang the moon’ if need be. Kiddos, your Dad loves you so much. He mentions your names almost everyday, wonders what you are doing, how you are doing, do you need anything, how can he help you, when will he see you guys and your little ones……one of the first things we say to each other when I’ve been at work and he’s been going about his Preaching stuff and we ‘visit’ with our afternoon coffee is “have you heard from the kids…how is everyone doing???.
So where will this journey end? What other chapters will we write together? Not sure….because God is the author and the finisher and He is writing the book of our lives...but I’m sure it will be good and pleasant. It will have challenges I’m sure…but what a comfort and treasure it has been, it is and will continue to be to have God holding the pen in His hand and writing the script for our lives.
So until next time ….from the front porch…
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