We cut the cake on together the day we sat in the car in the church parking lot and cried over destiny. When the pastor approached and asked you, the one with the architectural degree, if you had ever thought about ministry. His question unlocks the hope dream of future. We walk through the threshold of call, arm and arm.
We pack the moving van eight times, shake the hands of strangers in each new town, hang pictures, do laundry and pick out a refrigerator on the way to give birth to our first child . . . side by side.
Each new position of authority, office to decorate, leaders to host, conference to lead, sermon to share; they are mine too.
Each job change, disappointment in friendship, milestone reached, ministry pioneered, words recognized by strangers, dream realized; they are yours too.
Their first words, first steps, tears shed, sleepless nights, angry fits, and side splitting laughter; we carry them in the pocket square of the heart together.
We have sprained our ankles on the cracks of life and braced ourselves leaning into shoulders. Sighed deeply in tangles of circumstances without answers, and laughed joy in redemption.
And for this girl who grew up between the torn page of two hearts in the first chapter of her life, who watched the world spin on the sidelines of alone, wondering if together only exists in the clouds of floating dreams and idealistic eyes. I am thankful for you my husband, the way we do life joined by the extended rubber band of union, stretching past our comfort zones and resting in faith. Together.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. ~Ecc. 4:9-12
Joining Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday with the one word prompt: Together.
Beautiful words: girl who grew up between the torn page of two hearts in the first chapter of her life, who watched the world spin on the sidelines of alone, wondering if together only exists in the clouds of floating dreams and idealistic eyes. I am thankful for you my husband, the way we do life joined by the extended rubber band of union, stretching past our comfort zones and resting in faith.
Thank you, appreciate your leaving a comment.
Oh how excited I am to be neighbors today!!
I love the way you craft words, and since this is five minute friday, I know that they are just in your heart that way. A true gift!!
Thank you, friend, for sharing your gift with us. It is such a blessing!
Meredith, it has been fun interacting with you, getting to know you through our words. Thanks for your encouragement. It blesses me.
Shelly, I have just seen a beautiful painting, a work of art, a thing of beauty. Your writing. Its gift and it blesses me.
And I am just loving this photograph of you and H. While I have seen it before I it looks new in this post. Isn’t that the way He is? He making things new every day.
Thank you for gifting me with friendship. Lost in conversation yesterday I undertipped the server and had to go back and redeem myself. I was lost deep in a friendship moment which I am grateful for.
You’re too kind Elizabeth. Glad to connect with you yesterday and get to know you better.
Just posted for today. I thank you for your encouragement. Hope my words bless you this day.
I love hearing how together husbands and wives are. It makes me feel safe and warm. It makes me smile. I too come from a divorced family (as an only child) and know the cold and hurt there… and know that my marriage is a refuge and always will be.
Rescued and living in a refuge. I know it too. Nice to know that we share that road. So glad you stopped by.
What a beautiful picture of “togetherness”. Thank you for sharing a snapshot of your life!
Thanks Jody. It’s hard to write about 22 years of togetherness in five minutes!
Wow, 22. congrats to you both!! David and I are celebrating 10 this year. Seems like I have always been with him yet it seem like just yesterday we were getting hitched.
And I am sure he feels the same 🙂
He does. I know it and am so thankful.
This was an amazing post!
God has truly blessed you and you, in turn, bless us! Thank you!
Shelly…wow what you can do in 5 minutes is amazing… and i love the word picture…the rubber band of union, stretching past our comfort zones and resting in faith. blessings and have a wonderful weekend.
I think in pictures and metaphors. Didn’t realize it has always been that way until I started writing. I am a seer. Often say I wish I could hook my brain up to a screen so others could see all the beautiful things He shows me.
So sweet 🙂
Love your five minute Friday. People that know you and H. can picture the two of you as they read today. So grateful for the Lord allowing our paths to cross.
Me too Robin. So thankful for our providential friendship. It is truly a gift.
The Ecclesiastes. verse was the first verse that popped into my brain when I saw this week’s prompt. LOVED your words today!
Eileen, it was the first thing that came to me too. It’s why I chose to write about my husband instead of other things swirling around my head regarding that word together. His word trumps mine. Thanks so much for the tweet. Appreciate your generosity.
The rubber band of union…that will stay with me, friend.
beautiful. the words you can shed in 5 minutes…amazing.
so blessed by you — thank you!
Love those images God gives me when I write. Blessed by your sweet spirit and consistent kindness Nikki. And I wanted to thank you especially for your comment about the list this week on my FB page. It made me feel like I wasn’t crazy.
Just beautiful. I love this reminder about marriage. . . I needed this . . . right now. Thank you so much, Shelly.
Thanking God for His perfect timing with you Jennifer.
Your description has me in tears – ministry. Your words rubber band of union – mercy! You tug at my heart today as memories of my own life race through my mind. Blessings sweet friend.
http://www.positivelyalene.com/
I love the new picture. And the perspective. I too am thankful that I there is someone always to do life with together.
thanks, we had those taken for our Christmas card but never sent one. She took so many good ones, I have used them in all kinds of ways. I am thankful too, for the companionship.
Just beautiful, Shelly. Thanks so much.
Diana, I’m so thankful for you our Internet Chaplain. For so many reasons. I wish I could sit down over a cup of tea and talk to you about life.
Wonderful and so full of God’s goodness.
Thanks for sharing Shelly.
Thanks Celeste. Only a few days now!
Wow, what you can do with 5 minutes!! It’s beautiful the picture you painted with words of your marriage. I always enjoy reading them.
Alecia, honestly, probably a few more than five. I just can’t help it. Hope you won’t hold it against me 🙂 and thanks so much for your visits. Its been fun getting to know you.
Indeed, doing life joined by the extended rubber band of union says it well……thanks for your beautiful thoughts. Surviving some of those torn pages in the early chapters of life has just made living the later chapters with our wonderful husbands even sweeter. I too am grateful.
Yep, I agree Paula. We probably wouldn’t appreciate how much we have without those early years to show us.
What an incredibly sweet post. Oh, your walk together sounds so real and so true and so loving.
I am blessed Jen. Aware of it and hold it as precious. But its not a perfect life, just grace-full.
You are a beautiful writer! What a gift! Thank you for sharing your words with us today!
Brenda, I’ve enjoyed your posts too. And thanks for kind words and for liking my FB page.
I want to know more!! Your story intrigues…my father was an architect, and the rest of his family Salvation Army officers. You sound like a match made in heaven!
Aw, thanks Kim. Interesting your dad was an architect too. My daughter hopes to follow in her Dad’s footsteps.
beautiful Shelly, definitely this: “Their first words, first steps, tears shed, sleepless nights, angry fits, and side splitting laughter; we carry them in the pocket square of the heart together.”–oh, just has me mesmerized–all of it. and you did this in 5 min? sweet lady, you have a beautiful gift–but you know i think that. i really needed to read this today–such a poignant reminder for me. can i be honest? i aspire to this picture you paint. blessings and love, friend.
So thankful for your kind words Nacole and we each have a journey that looks so unique to our experience. Grateful for the way He uses your words to encourage and inspire others.
What a beautiful picture of together!
“who grew up between the torn page of two hearts ” sigh. this is beauty. even in the tear. because of the pain that brought you to this place. you let me rest each and every time i read your words. thank you.
Aww, that makes me smile Tara. Good to hear from you.
“stretching past our comfort zones and resting in faith” Oooh, I like this. Beautiful words!
Thanks so much and love your place too. Nice to have you visit.