Hooray––47 years!

Look at those babies in the picture! We've proved the statistics wrong! All the odds were against us. Married at 19, from two different faiths, and two opposite personalities. But God, huh––there's the difference. But God brought us together for His purpose!

If I hadn't given this boy a once-in-a-lifetime date––his only date, I thought––then this anniversary today would not be happening. A senior in high school and a little snooty, (sorry to say) I had little time for this pesky boy in my life. But, oh, he was persistent. Now, I'm not going to tell the rest of the story. It's included in Amazon's bestselling romance collection Heart Bouquets, released by Write Integrity Press in February 2013. My story is "Stolen Ice Cube". Along with my story, my five co-authors have heart-warming stories in this book.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's don't miss God's best for you. Never settle for second best when God wants to give you His best. When God was changing the direction of our ministry, I thought I'd help him by being obstinate. You know, that stubbornness that takes over when you buck change. I said it something like this: "But God, we are fine right here where we are, why would you want to change our whole life now?" And, what if I had insisted on my way?

If I hadn't allowed God to be in control of my life, I would have missed the best part of my life and ministry. Going forward with God, He led my husband and me to begin a new mission, build a house and mission base, and He gave us a new ministry reaching children for Him. What if I had settled for second best? When I allowed Him to lead, He gave me the best husband, the best ministry, and the best life!

"God gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him."~ author unknown