This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10
It was hotter than a firecracker. Today, forty-seven years ago, I became the luckiest guy in the world. Oh, I know, Joe DiMaggio thought he was but that is because he didn’t marry Judy. You see, on June 26, 1976, this Florida cracker married one fine Georgia peach—Judy Dawn Allen thus ensuring my standing as the luckiest guy in the world. Looking back over the past four and a half decades, plus two years, I am amazed just how good God has been.
I met Judy at church one Wednesday night. I was stationed at the nearby Air Force base. She was only sixteen and I was twenty. It had to be a miracle that her parents even let me near her but then…I did meet her at church. Smile. I walked into church that Wednesday night, saw her standing in a group of about five or six young ladies, and well, that was that. I got her phone number from a friend who attended that same church, gave her a call, asked her out on a date and she said yes. That yes led to another yes on April 1, 1975, when she agreed to marry me and that yes led to an “I Do” on June 26, 1976. How about that?
Recently, someone at church wished me a happy anniversary and I told them the secret to being married for 47 years. All you have to do is marry someone like my wife Judy. She loves God and Jesus, loves her family, loves people but most of all—she loves me. I never could figure that part out. I am certain I am not worthy of her love but still she scoops it out in large quantities. She loves me when I get it right and when I don’t. She loves me when it is hard and loves me when it is easier. Amazing.
As amazing as all that is—the way God loves me is even bigger and better. He too lavishes His love out on me, and He too loves me regardless of my performance. On my best day, He loves me and on my worst day, He loves me still and a zillion years from today He will still be loving me. His word says, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” Now that is what I call love. That is what I call amazing.
Looking back, hot or not, I’m grateful for that summer day in South Georgia when an amazing God allowed me to marry an amazing young lady. Over forty-seven years, walking together, and all but five of them as a pastor’s wife, well, I’ll forever be indebted to the One who gave her to me and to her for saying yes. He took care of me then and He will take care of me for all the tomorrows yet to come. As always,, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 