A Precious Gift from God

As I sit and type this blog today, I am looking at the most beautiful individual on the face of this earth. She is lying in a hospital bed, just finishing her fourth night of stay as the doctors try to determine what is causing her to pass out and her heart rate drop so low. You see, today is our 26^th wedding anniversary and we WILL celebrate our special day today, just not the way we had planned!

I went to bed last night thanking God for my godly, beautiful, precious wife. And I woke up with even more thanksgiving on my heart. I have taken her for granted way too often, but this past week has made me slow down and give thanks His wonderful gift to me of Dorinda Ann. You see, God's Word says James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Of course, the greatest gift that God has given me is His Son Jesus Christ, and I am so grateful for Him above everything else. But after that, it just doesn't get any better in my life than my wife.

When we walked the aisle of First Assembly of God in West Memphis, Arkansas 26 years ago I really thought I could not love her any more than I did that moment. But today, 26 years later, I realize that that was just "puppy love" compared to the love I have for her today.

I recently heard a song at a wedding that expressed my love and appreciation that I have for my wife better than I could ever articulate with my own words, and I want to put them on my blog today:

Then lyrics

I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mezmorized
And three weeks later, in the front porch light
taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet
but I thought I loved you then

Chorus

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

And i remember, taking you back to right where I first met you,
You were so surprised
There were people around, but I didn't care
Got down on one knee right there once again,
I thought I loved you then

Chorus

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I could just see you, with a baby on the way
And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray
What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then

That sums up my thoughts, love, and thankfulness to God for the precious gift of my wife. She is my soul mate, my best friend, and an awesome mother grandmother of my four children, and two grandchildren! She is the most Christ-like person I know. I have lived with her for 26 years, and EVERY SINGLE DAY I see Jesus flowing through her.

"Dorinda, you are going to wake up soon, and they are going to rush you off for more tests…but we WILL celebrate today 26 wonderful years. I wouldn't trade them for the world and would do it all over again if given the chance! I love you and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!"

Rusty