My Lady

Forty three years ago today, I made the second best commitment of my life when I said “I do” to my precious wife, Debby.  Fortunately for me, she didn’t say “I don’t”, and equally important…she stayed!  Every now and then you hear someone say the phrase, “I love you more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow.” Sounds kind of corny, but in my experience, it is absolutely the case.  Deb is like a diamond mine, and every day there is a new treasure to discover about her and a new reason to thank God for her. 

A few years ago, I sat down to write a poem about her, and my thoughts turned to various parts of her. Some are quite visible to the naked eye.  Others are only known by me and her Maker.  But if ever the phrase “greater than the sum of its parts” were true, it’s true about my lady.  No description can scratch the surface of how these parts of her give life to those around her, from her three children and eight grandchildren, to her very blessed husband…all the way “down” to the young man she encounters at a checkout stand or the lady who assists her on a machine at Curves.  Debby oozes the love of God, and though not perfect, she has never stopped pursuing Jesus or those around her.  This is just bit of what I know of her…

Eyes

that sparkle with an inner light

shine me to a place of safety,

knowing God

looks through those eyes

to pursue me,

accept me,

trust me,

relentlessly drawing me,

inviting me,

loving me.

Ears

that listen

like few others,

deciphering, discerning

the real issues

from the rabble,

the genuine from the counterfeit;

that pursue

the radio frequency

of the still small Voice

over the din of all others.

Hands

that wash the feet

of those she loves

in a thousand ways;

some noble,

some unnoticed,

all exacting the costly price

of self-will.

She spends and is spent

 spreading the fragrance of Jesus,

Losing a little more of her

to know much more of Him.

Feet

that move swiftly,

deliberately

to encourage,

lighten loads,

share burdens,

 urge onward,

expose deception,

offer hope,

and, when stumbling,

sense the security

and surety

of her Shepherd’s arms.

Lips

that speak His name

to a soul-mate whose faith can falter,

to the children she bore, now entrusted to others,

to the grandchildren she loves like life itself,

to friends far and near,

to total strangers in the marketplace,

or just to anyone who will listen; and

Tongue

that once sang His praises

with notes that angels envied;

those tones now muted

give way to outstretched arms

borne of joy and adversity--

the pain and pleasure of one

so hurt, so healed.

Heart

overflowing,

breaking,

broken,

open, uplifted,

softening to

His Word,

His world,

yielding another day

to the Breath of life,

the Lover of her soul. 

I said that marrying her was the second best commitment I ever made.  No, she is not my second wife, though sometimes I kiddingly introduce her as my first.  Topping the list of all my commitments would have to be the day I gave my life to Jesus, my Savior, and along with Deb, committed our future(s) to Him. I know marriages have lasted as long and even longer without Jesus at the center of them, but as for me, I can’t imagine wanting anything else.  Or anyone else.  I love you, Deb.

tad