My Question, God's Answer

Just a bit over thirteen years ago, I asked the Lord a question I'll never forget, and the weight of His answer is still with me today. "Lord, is it okay if I marry Danny?" It was not a casual question as the language may imply, nor was His answer. He answered me with 1 Peter 1:22. I think in my mind I thought I would hear a simple "yes", or perhaps a "no." It was, as it usually is with the Lord, much deeper than that. "Love one another with a sincere heart." (A "yes" heavily laden with instruction!) The New American Standard Bible reads, "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,"

Wesley's Notes say: 1:22 Having purified your souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit, who bestows upon you freely, both obedience and purity of heart, and unfeigned love of the brethren, go on to still higher degrees of love. Love one another fervently - With the most strong and tender affection; and yet with a pure heart - Pure from any spot of unholy desire or inordinate passion.

The night of my question was a face to face with my Father- my Heavenly one. I felt the seriousness of the matter settle in on me. As I write I recall joy after joy after joy of Danny and I's life together. Yet, as another year begins my eyes well up with tears when I think of my careless, thoughtless, selfish habits and tendencies. Then I remember the Covenant! God's Covenant! The Covenant of all covenants that gives me hope and grace to embrace and enjoy the years yet to come. The Covenant that rings loudly with forgiveness! The Covenant that sealed the deal- His own sacrifice! His promise to me. His promise to us. He has demonstrated what He requires!

Danny, because of Jesus, because of His great love for us, because He is resident in me and in you, I go before Him again, and ask Him to help me fulfill 1 Peter 1:22 for the rest of our lives. My beloved, this day, April 26, is our Anniversary! Happy Anniversary! Heaven applauds and the great cloud of witnesses cheers us on in our walk as husband and wife before the world, each other, and before the Lord. I dearly cherish this day. I cherish you.