“To love and cherish, For better or worse, for richer or poorer, In sickness and in health. From this day forward.”
13 years ago, under Big Sky sunshine, I pledged these words to a woman who spoke them back to me. I remain as gratefully astounded today as I was then how the Lord sent this old ragamuffin a woman who, fully aware of all my murky past baggage, still chose to accept and love me “…just as I am…”, and wanted to share the rest of her life with me.
By His mercy we’ve shared better, richer, healthy times together.
By His goodness we’ve graciously been spared worse, poorer and serious sickness.
By His guidance we’ve navigated and resolved marriage ‘difficulties’ encountered by two very different people sharing life together.
By His grace, we’ve grown old together.
Two weeks ago life’s inevitable worse and serious sickness appeared . . . my soulmate fell and broke her arm. She has since been hospitalized, confined in a cumbersome, painful arm brace.
Seldom asked in better, richer, healthy times, the enemy’s one word, faith assaulting question loomed . . . Why? . . . and I let my Abba answer and calm my soul . . .
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His Judgements, and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33
“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Some “Whys? will never be answered in this life. I rest content knowing He has the best answer for each “Why?” we may ask, and someday will be revealed in the ‘Whyless’ Eternity that awaits, devoid of worse, poorer and sickness.
As I write this Spotify queued up “Your Goodness is Running After Me” in the background. The lyrics affirm they echo in my soulmate’s heart just over the mountain, and we will fall asleep together in Him tonight.
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Your Goodness Is Running After Me
I love You, Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
All my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God
And all my life You have been faithful,
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after me
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Your prayers for Ellen’s comfort and His will to be accomplished in her healing are treasured. Thank you.
Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
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