DAVE

I met my dear husband 25 years ago towards the end of February. I had been asked to write and direct monologues and speak "sermonette-style" at his church during the Lenten season. A recently divorced Christian, I was very aware, both personally and by observation, of the "less than" treatment the divorced experienced. W-e-l-l, I threw that concern into the mix, and sounded a bit on the defensive/aggressive side [WHO, ME???] when I pushed for hope that the divorced and their children, instead of being treated as outcasts and unclean, would be received as spiritual warfare "widows and orphans". Annoyed the heck out of a lot of folks. And, even though I was a guest speaker, surprisingly, the Lord led me to join this church.

Dave was a youth leader ... and I had a youth. He was much younger than I was; I had no attachment to him except that I appreciated his generosity and servant-heartedness and kindness towards the kids and their folks... including me.

Then on May 19th, the Lord “glued” us together in a way we never expected and certainly didn't understand. Both of us were big-eyed and scared beyond imagination at first – but we knew this was truly a "God-thing." Dave was a gentleman, thoroughly. I was the opposite, definitely not sweetness and light. I had been abused for most of my life and was intense, and, even though a Christian for 19 years, I still had a rep for hardness, toughness, bluntness, often aimed at fighting for others in abusive or tough circumstances.

Two days after we were drawn together, Dave showed up at my door, handed me an envelope, gave me a quick hug, and left. When I opened it, and read it, I was absolutely floored. Since that moment, it has been framed, either actually or in my heart.

I want to share it with you. It will let you know, and allow you to show others, that the Lord can break through for the worst of us in the worst of life's events — to bring glory to His name. Ain’t nothin’ else more important.

I'm still a "bit" on the intense side, but after 25 years of love and acceptance from Dave, all I want is for others, especially the wounded or abused, to experience the Lord's compassionate heart — just as I have been blessed to do.

Sorry to take so long, but wanted to give you a background and help with the understanding of why it is so amazing. Here goes:

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How can such a tough lady be so fragile?
Yet you are.

And i understand.

Fragileness is a part of your beauty, like a flower,

and your willingness to risk hurt shows your strength,
which balances and makes you whole.

I pray that i see your fragility,

so i can treat you as i ought.

I would loathe to crush the flower underfoot,

when i desire to nurture you and grow you up in Jesus.

I pray the Lord's forgiveness,

and yours,

if i am not tender when i need to be,

and tough when i need to be.

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We married 4 months later.