Gayle and I married on January 20th, 1973! 35+ years ago. We hit a really rocky time a couple years into our marriage then came to know the Lord and got swept up in church life. We were so busy during child rearing days we didn’t really spend much time or have a clue what it meant to have a happy, satisfying marriage. Then it was off to Bible College at age 25 after 6 years of marriage. I went to school full time and worked full time for 7 more years. Again, at this point it was survival mode. Gayle with three kids by herself and me with all the stuff I had to do. We had very little time together, though we loved each other again clueless! The whirlwind continued it seems  18 years of public life as a pastor, our family always in the public eye and learning things but not much concerning loving each other the way we needed to be loved. Near disaster came to us and now in many ways looks like a gift in disguise. All I will say is the Lord used that train wreck in 2000 to begin teaching us about really loving and respecting each other as a couple. Today as we walk, talk, take day trips like the latest set of pictures and as we pray together on those walks, we thank God for allowing us to be so much in love after all these years. It is great to have peace inside, no secrets from each other, no games just a from the heart desire to love each other, serve each other and serve the Lord together. Life is so good right now. I’m so thankful we held on and worked through everything life ever threw at us. I’m so glad neither of us ever threw in the towel. I’m so thankful we’ve learned to forgive and let resentments go. Knowing now what the prize is it was worth all the necessary training to get here. I really don’t know that our marriage could get any better but I know we are both still growing so it could. If I died today, I would die knowing I’ve experienced genuine love at the deepest level with my bride. This life is worth fighting for!

 

Scott