Monday Morning Manna: The Marriage Beat Goes On

I saw her first at church, on a Sunday night, in the collage choir. She claims it was the only night she ever sang in the choir. Once was enough. I saw her again the next week in the University Library. It may have been my only time in the Library. Then I asked her out on a date – a church hayride to the lake. When the hay truck didn’t show up, we went in my car. Eight months later, at a school talent show with the theme, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friends” we sat on the back row of the school Chapel and I slipped an engagement ring on her finger. Then in another ten months, we said our “I dos” and began an amazing journey that has lasted fifty-one years. On our anniversary this week, Joanne and I will celebrate by watching our precious granddaughter Whitney, and future grandson-in-law, Josh, repeat their vows and begin their journey together. We will hear again, repeated this time for them, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.