My man and me

Thirty-eight years tomorrow.

The organist played the wedding march and I stood next to my Daddy in the foyer with my heart pounding like clapping thunder in my chest and wearing an ever so slightly off-white, nothing special wedding dress so as not to be a total fraud. We’d rented the dress for $65 and it never even occurred to me to mind. I come from very modest means and there was no world in which I expected my parents to spend several hundred dollars on a dress. They didn’t have it. And, except for the monthly stresses of bill paying in our home and overhearing my mom on the phone with bankers about overdrafts and loans and mortgages, we didn’t care that we made it by the skin of our teeth. It was normal to us and, for that matter, normal to most of the people we knew.

The congregation of about 200 came to its loud feet with the prelude and almost that many faces looked straight back at me and Daddy. My eyes darted up the middle aisle of that small Baptist church, shifting back and forth from smiling face to smiling face, many very familiar to me despite having been there a few short years. I served wherever I churched because that’s what I was raised to do. Never considered not. That day at Spring Woods Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, my wide-eyed gaze also fell on a few faces of those who filled the front aisles. Family members. And, trust me when I tell you, they weren’t smiling. Every year around our anniversary, Keith and I recount the whole ignominious scene with one another and mock the family scowls and laugh until our sides split. Nothing could have been less humorous on that particular day but the thought that we spited all of them by making it this long brings Keith and me no small glee. We were both in long term stable relationships when we met. I was engaged. He was soon to be. Each of our families loved our significant others. And, in a way I won’t go into trying to explain, so did we.

I’m not sure Keith and I ourselves completely understand why we dropped everything dependable and remotely stable in our lives and flew headlong into one another with all the tranquility of a pair of cymbals. The best explanation is that clamor attracts clamor and baggage attracts baggage and, boy, did we each have some. And then there was just pure chemistry. Had we been married to other people when we met, God help us, I trust we would have either ignored or resisted it or, by that time, never met but the fact was, we weren’t married, we did meet and we did not remotely ignore nor resist one another.

The words “wedding planner” weren’t even in my vocabulary or that of anyone I knew. The woman standing in the foyer with Dad and me on the day of the wedding was one of the very same women who brought a green bean casserole or jello salad every Wednesday night to fellowship supper. When the organ piped up, she nodded her head, touched my shoulder and said “Now.” She’d told us to go slow and Dad and I had practiced the night before but, for the life of me, I was either going to run down that aisle to that man in the tux or my hind end was going to flee to the parking lot where I’d holler like a wild hyena until somebody picked me up and hijacked me to Mexico.

I cannot say that it did not help that Keith Moore was the most beautiful man I’d ever kissed in all my life. Dad and I flew so fast down that aisle that my veil nearly took me to the wind like the flying nun.

A thought which carries impressive irony.

In seconds it seemed, the pastor said to the congregation, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Keith Moore.”

And, just like that, the wedding was over.

Let the drama begin.

And I guess in a lot of ways it’s never come to an end. It’s just a different kind of drama these days for the most part.

I’ve been asked many times if I’ll ever write a book on marriage. I don’t expect to. I have no intention of setting us up as some exemplary couple. Keith and I have not had a great marriage. But, somehow, in recent years, we’ve managed to find ourselves in a pretty good one. And I guess it’s fair to say you’ve never met two people happier about being pretty happy.

We don’t just kiss on our anniversary. We high five.

I’m really reluctant to do what I’m about to do because what if he and I get into the biggest fight of our lives tonight and I maniacally hurl all his fishing gear and deer heads and forty pair of unders in the front yard? I’ve never done that before but I’ve always known I had it in me. I’ve always kept my pitching arm in shape for such a time as this. And what if one of the neighbors videos us and I end up on the YouTube cussing? I’ve never been one to cuss much but, if I’m ever going to have a cussing conniption, it will be my luck to have it on the YouTube. One time I did try to leave Keith and he said, “Go right ahead. Leave me. But you’ll look in your rearview mirror and there I will be and not because I like you any better than you like me. Because I don’t. But because we are married and married we’ll stay.” Keith never was a great Catholic except about the one thing I wished he’d been more Baptist about: splitting.

And so, like somebody pulling teeth, I’m reluctantly going to tell you with little commentary a few of the things that have kept us at it, every single one of which is nothing but the dripping grace of Jesus. We can’t even take credit for the things that have actually worked. So here goes and then I’m closing this post and publishing it before I change my mind.

If you don’t mind, I’m going to do this backwards and start with the bottom line because everything else comes back to this: We have both and each been willing, many times through bitter tears and against our human-hearted natural preferences, to choose to love each other again. Over and over and over and over.  After some really harsh things.

We had Amanda nine months and two weeks from our wedding day after being told I’d need surgery to conceive. Liar, liar pants on fire. We may as well have named her Elmers. She was the glue God used to hold our first few years together. Then came Melissa, who was a dyed in the wool daddy’s girl. We still wouldn’t have made it even with them to consider, I’m sorry to say, if not for that one bottom line above.

We developed compassion for one another. We were both messed up and we each understood why. And, I really don’t know a better way to say it, we felt sorry for one another and started trying to help each other get better.

The fact that I could sob as I write this next one is fittingly ironic. We each think the other is hilarious. The only thing Keith and I have done as much as fight is laugh. I don’t know why we got that gift but we did. We even laughed at times in the terrible years. We tried not to but we couldn’t help ourselves. We are each the most absurd person the other has ever met. We are a cartoon strip and we know it.

One last thing. I told Keith before we were engaged that God had placed a call on my life at 18 and, if he didn’t think he could handle it, he better run for his life. Having no other paradigm for a woman in ministry, he looked at me with a measure of horror and said, “Are you going to be a nun?” (We’d made out for the better part of the last hour so the absurdity of this one makes me rub my forehead with no small delight.)  No, I said, to which he responded, “Then I’m in.” And he has been. For somewhere around 15 Bible studies, numerous other books, 23 years of Sunday School lessons, many years of Tuesday night Bible study and two Friday nights a month with me on the road. Unwaveringly. And not as a weakling but as the strongest willed man I’ve ever met. Nobody need wonder who wears the Wranglers in my family. And you may as well not go to seed feeling sorry for him. He’d have to lie to say I ignored him and then I’d have to hit him with my purse and, considering all the lip glosses in it, it would hurt considerably. Him, not me. He just wasn’t the kind that would be ignored. When we were at home together, we were at home together. I didn’t hang out on the phone all the time doing ministry or study my commentaries in front of him – I did that while he was at work – or flip through magazines. To this day, if I’m messing around on social media on my phone when I’m with him, he’ll say, “Pay attention to me!” And I’m glad he will. And I do. Or we’d have nothing.

And, finally, after many years, I returned a certain spiritual favor after all he’d done to be supportive of my calling: I just accepted him like he was and quit trying to turn him into a deacon or some big spiritual beacon. He didn’t want to be one. Doesn’t want to now.

Thirty-eight years tomorrow. This one man and me. We’ve decided to stay in this dance a little bit longer.

fullsizerender-3

 

Because, ladies and gentlemen, smilers and scowlers, we are Mr. and Mrs. Keith Moore.

 

 

 

 

 

Share

426 Responses to “My man and me”

If you'd like your own pic by your comment, go to Gravatar.com. Click the first button "Get your gravatar today ->", and it will walk you through a simple process to select a picture.

Comments:

  1. 201
    Deb Mott says:

    Congratulations! Thanking God for you both and your families and testimonies and ministries. He has one too even through it is not formal. He is a model for men everywhere. His praying and standing faithful to you and your family and standing true to the covenant of marriage and his vows of love even in times of dislike is rare and Biblical. Obvious love that he is committed and faithful to God, you, his own words and wedding vows. God is honored and seen in you both. Wonderful and glorious. God’s sovereignty is thrilling and thriving, the adventures of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing honesty and authentically. May God Bless this 30th Anniversary and this 30th year in special ways and may you both experience entering into His Rest together to live in the abundance of the promise land and times He has planned for you. In Christ’s Blessings, Deb

  2. 202
    Tanya T Smith says:

    Congrats. Made me cry

  3. 203
    Deb Mott says:

    38th Anniversary and 38th year, corrected. 8 years more than wrote above. Have to give you credit for 8 years. My apology. Don’t know what I was thinking! Happy 38th!!!!

  4. 204
    Ginger Chriss says:

    Love this love letter. I believe it is real and honest. It was 37 years last month for us and the story is similar. Good and bad. Rough times and smooth. The commitment was made in the beginning, “This is for life.” We’ve done it, by God’s grace alone. He molded and taught us, led us in His way. Here we are now, fully committed to God’s will and committed to each other. Still have rough times, still have smooth ones. God’s pleasure is that the good times outnumber the bad and our love endures. PTL Thank you, Beth, for your calling and your honest ministry. It blesses me.

  5. 205
    Amanda says:

    My stars. I have been married 22 years, since I was 22 yrs old, just like that. I thought I was seein it all wrong. Thank you for sharin your truth. I’m lookin at my “album” through a whole new pair of glasses. More like pink sunglasses. Instead of the dark shades of grief. We made it when alot of others didn’t. Geez you may have bought me 15 more yrs at least. Thank you sister.

  6. 206
    Barbara says:

    Beth Moore happy anniversary! I love you! I can relate to you because you are so transparent and real!!! I wouldn’t have near the respect for you than I do , knowing you are like the most of us. I have felt so out of place with most Christian’s that I know because they seem as though their lives have been perfect, mine has not! Thank you for sharing your life with us so I know life isn’t always perfect! I’ve felt like a complete failure at times even after being saved. Please keep sharing your life! God had used you so much to help people like me, love you girl!

  7. 207
    CAROLYN BAKER says:

    Happy anniversary Beth! Today is our 43rd anniversary. Thank you for being so open and honest. I think this is the norm for most marriages rather than an exception. I can relate to quite a bit of it. Since all of us are fallible human beings and of course are not perfect in any way, I don’t believe there is such a thing as as a perfect marriage. I seriously doubt there’s anyone who has not gone through rough patches, no matter what they say. I too have considered walking away at least twice, but marriage is work and no one should give up too easily. That has become very common in our world today. Too many people give up when the going gets rough instead of staying and working through their differences. Opposites attract and that is why we are two halves of a whole. If we were too much alike we would make really great friends but the attraction would not be there. Thanks again for your honesty and may we both have many more years with our husbands!

  8. 208
    LuAnn Conway says:

    Happy Anniversary to the two of you!
    I have come to the conclusion, that only God can keep relationships alive. I am so glad for you.

  9. 209
    Tatia Cook says:

    Congratulations! Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Moore!!

  10. 210
    Michelle says:

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for showing that making a marriage work is not all the lovey dovey things, but the nitty gritty that happens in life. Thank you for making me feel normal about my feelings for my marriage and my husband, whom I do love, but sometimes just don’t want to deal with any longer. Thank you for this post. Your timing is perfect.

  11. 211
    Charity says:

    Beautiful! Bravo! Congrats you two!

  12. 212
    Sonia says:

    Happy Anniversary!!! May God bless you with many more!!!

  13. 213
    Julie Reynolds says:

    Thank you for this Beth. This is so you, real and authentic with a whole lot of Jesus dropped in. My man and I will be married for 27 years this year and its never been boring even when I prayed for it to be just for a break.
    I also have to thank you for sharing your marriage and parenting wisdom with us through the years of Bible studies and LPM events, I have tried to always remember your advice in my own ministry and family adventure.
    Happy, Happy Anniversary Elizabeth and Ivan!!! I pray you will have many many more!!

  14. 214
    Valerie says:

    Happy Anniversary!

  15. 215
    Connie Dronet Wood says:

    Happy Anniversary to you & Keith. Wishing you many more happy & healthy years to follow. Maybe we can get together in 2017. So proud of you Beth. You are a blessing to many people.

  16. 216
    Ellen says:

    Your marriage sounds just like mine. Only after our 38th anniversary I lost my husband Tim to cancer. And only then did I fully understand how perfect we were for each other. And how much we loved each other.

    • 216.1
      B from Alabama says:

      Dear Ellen,
      I saw this post today and cried for you. I pray the Lord fills your heart and life and days with joy and peace. May He also bring love and friendship from many around you. And may He continuously remind you of His Own Presence.
      With blessings,
      B

  17. 217
    Susan says:

    Congratulations to you both, Mr and Mrs Keith Moore! My husband and I are celebrating 40 years in a few months! God Is Good! Always! Thanks for sharing.

  18. 218
    Rita Mobbs says:

    Happy Anniversary! Thank you for your willingness to be real! It is an encouragement! My man and I were married Christmas Eve 1970!

    • 218.1
      Rita Mobbs says:

      Oops! I meant to say we were married on New Year’s Eve not Christmas Eve! Anyway, Happy Anniversary to you both!

  19. 219
    Karra Patten says:

    Dearest Beth,
    My husband, Jonathan and I also have an unusual story about how we met and the struggles we went through these past six going on seven years. I meant Jonathan when I was doing business sales and traveling across several counties as my territory. I was driving down the highway going to my morning appointment when I saw a man walking along the highway. It was cold that morning so he had a coat on and was carrying a duffel bag. When I saw him, my reaction was “hmm”. As I was passing him he took a drink water out of his water bottle. I’ve got just a few feet down the road when I heard God say audible just like talking to your best friend, ” give him a ride”. At that point I told God “NO”, I don’t pick up hitchhikers.God continued to tell me to pick him up. At that point God told me “he’s drinking water”. At that time I would drink a case of bottled water a week during my travels. I finally said with a defiant attitude, “FINE!”, but if he’s an Axe Murderer and he kills me it’s all your fault! Jonathan told me he just found his wife in bed with another man and this was the first time. He said he wanted to learn to depend on God for everything just like the disciples. He said he needed to be totally dependent on God and seek God’s will. At that time I was in the process of divorce after 30 years of continual abuse ranging from A to Z. Jonathan did not have anything to eat and only had that one bottle of water. I always kept various snacks and of course my case of water with me when I traveled. So I grabbed several bottles of water and food to give to him. He was very thankful for everything. I gave him my business card and told him I traveled several counties in my territory. I told him if you need anything if I was close she give me a call or email me and I will try to help any way I could. I gave him a hug and told him I would be praying for him and he said he would be praying for me as well. He started walking down the street and I turned to get my folders out of my car and when I turned back around he was nowhere in sight. I thought he did he was an angel that God had sent to me. Several weeks later I received an email from him thank you me again for my kindness and prayers. We began conversing over emails. At some of my lowest moments, struggling with the stress of divorce, my work, depression and being stalked by my ex, Jonathan would send me scriptures that help me on those days. He didn’t know what I was going through but God gave him words to speak to me. Just like you and your husband Keith, Jonathan and I have passionately love each other and fought each other. We both had tremendous baggage coming into this marriage but through God’s tremendous Grace he has brought us through everything. Every time that we tried to break up God brought us back together. When we were apart we were totally miserable. We still have our ups and downs,but God is in control. We serve Avoca United Methodist Church, leading Bible studies, Youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, Praise and worship, preaching and the list continues. Avoca United Methodist Church is a small Church in a very small community. But you would never know it was a small Church because of all the activities and Outreach that we do. Our motto is: “The Small Church with a Big Heart”. I had prayed to God many many years to have a husband that loves God and is willing to serve Him. My ex was not interested in walking with Christ. For 30 years we were in and out of counseling. The abused the game too much for me to handle and after seeking Council from the pastor and elders I filed for divorce. I praise God everyday for bringing Jonathan into my life to help keep me focused on Jesus. Jonathan is truly a man after God’s Own Heart. He is wonderful teacher and studies God’s word in detail and has an understanding of the Jewish culture to explain both in Bible study and to me what’s some scriptures are saying. Thank you Beth for sharing your story to inspire and to encourage us to know that through God our marriage may not be perfect, but is definitely God’s design. Blessings to you and your family for this new year.

  20. 220
    Sherri says:

    Happy Anniversary, thanks for being transparent and real. We have a little in common we went to the same high school and my husband and I were married at Spring Woods Baptist Church in 1976. We had 38 crazy years of marriage he has spent the last two in heaven. May God continue to Bless you and your family!

  21. 221
    Missy Burgess says:

    Happy Anniversary! It’s ours, too!! It is our 5th! God blessed me with a wonderful, Christian guy after I list my first husband to cancer in 2008. We didn’t have any children, so I prayed that God would bless us with a child. Last April, (I was 46 and my hubby was 52), we adopted a 10 year old who had been in foster care and then had a disrupted adoption after 8 years!
    We are at peace that God is with us everyday. We love our daughter very much! We are very blessed!
    So on our 5th Anniversary we celebrate Gods goodness; thanking Him for blessing our marriage and continuing to give us godly wisdom as parents!

  22. 222
    Lois Pepple says:

    Oh, thank you, Beth. I love the way you share so genuinely. I admire your (and Keith’s) stick-to-it-iveness and your transparency about your relationship. It is refreshing to read truth about a real life marriage. And it is sweet to get to know you just a bit better, and to understand that every wife, if she’s honest, has at some point harbored doubts about her marriage; fantasies about remaking her man; and fears for the future of her marriage.
    Thank you for sharing this real and precious picture of who you and Keith are; some of what you’ve dealt with; and how you’ve made it this far. God bless you both, with many, many more years of lovin’ and laughter; and a bit less of bein’ mad.

  23. 223
    Julie Meyer says:

    Through the years of studying God’s word as your student you have shared how your love and respect for your husband has grown as you grew to know the Father more. Thanks for your example to this girl who has learned to love her man through thick and thin as well!
    Happiest of Anniversaries to you both!

  24. 224
    Debbie Hymer says:

    Thank you Beth for being open and real. This has helped encourage me more than you will ever know. My husband and I have been married for over 35 years. God has placed a calling on my heart as well. My husbands calling is to be the Godly man of our house, children and grandchildren. Your simple blog has been used by God to help encourage and comfort me in many ways. Without going into great boring detail, let me simply say thank you for letting God use you!

  25. 225
    Joanna says:

    I love your humor and I always enjoy hearing your thoughts and opinions. Thank you for being an example of a Godly women I can look up to. Hears to you and your marriage! Thanks for being committed.

  26. 226
    Karen says:

    Happy Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Keith Moore! A living proof and testimony of God’s persevering power and love!

  27. 227
    Janelle says:

    Thank you Beth Moore.
    Happy Anniversary!
    I could relate to much of what you said….
    going on 47 years in May. 🙂

  28. 228
    GLENDA MacLean says:

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,39 YEARS,✨✨❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️AMAZING WORD PICTURE OF YOUR LIVES TOGETHER,DOWNRIGHT TRANSPARENT AND HONEST YOU PAINTED A PICTURE OF REAL LIFE MANY WOULD NOT SHARE,IT YRULY MINISTERED TO ME,I HOPE MANY YOUNGER,INBETWEEN AND OLDER MARRIED PEOPLE READ THIS GEM,PS.ALSO,IT DIDN’T HURT THAT YOU WROTE IT,SO THAT I WAS WEAK WITH LAUGHTER,BLESS YOUR ❤️THANKS A HEAP,(truly)XXXXXXX’s

  29. 229
    Janice says:

    I love this post! Because I can so relate to it as I celebrate 32 years today (to the same man, in a row)! I love your honesty, Beth. Happy anniversary!

  30. 230
    Deborah says:

    Happy Anniversary! I pray y’all are blessed with many more.

  31. 231
    Amy Thew says:

    Thanks for being real. Marriage is hard but so worth it. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and your marriage. Thank you for being faithful to God and your husband. I am so thankful that the Lord will turn curses into blessings because he loves us.

  32. 232
    Cheryl Fratis says:

    Congrats to you both. My husband and I have been married for 24 years. We’ve been separated 3 times. The last time I filed for divorce and got my papers and check back because the filing fee increased by $2.00. Really! I asked God what do you want me to do and He said, love him. We have been together continually for 13 years now. We’ve had really good times and some very, very tough times. He makes me laugh and is the only human who loves me just as I am, warts and all. Most Christians don’t talk about the raw truth of life, especially married life. It’s not always pretty. It’s good to know we aren’t alone in our humanness. God bless you Beth and Keith. Happy Anniversary !

  33. 233
    Jo Anne T says:

    Happiest of Anniversaries Keith & Beth! I love what you said about choosing to love each other, because that is exactly what it is, a choice. You made a covenant with the Lord that you would stick it out, and praise God you’ve chosen the correct path. Marriage isn’t easy, but it definitely is the great adventure. Blessings from Denny and I who are ten years ahead of you in anniversaries!

  34. 234
    Tiffany Mattson says:

    We are celebrating 10 years of marriage tomorrow and like anyone else trials have been the brick walls that God has successfully knocked down. My husband told me that if I left him he would go with me so there you go. We both come from broken homes, dads leaving moms for other women, and for a while I would tell him to leave me already, that hasn’t happened either.

    I find myself thanking God for him in between the frustrations and moments where I am not sure either of us should be married.
    I am one who gets angry with him about something and God whispers to me, “Really?” and then I think again and go to my husband and apologize he looks at me and says “you are already forgiven.”
    I am proud of us and our drive to continue to move forward no matter what is put in front of us because I know now that God is in front of us paving the way and I thank God for it all.

  35. 235
    Mary Robinson says:

    Beth, I have enjoyed the video’s of your Teachings at a Baptist Church and I must tell you that I have admired you from the very first Video. Your compassion and Love for Jesus Christ has made a huge impact on my life and I am so happy to be able to let you know that fact. Congratulations on your Wedding Anniversary and may you have many many more.

  36. 236
    Tiffany Mattson says:

    OH Happy Anniversary you two

  37. 237
    Catherine l. says:

    Happy anniversary to The Moores! I love the honesty here. I won’t ever have 38 years with anyone. I’m almost 50 and a divorced single mom for 10 years now. I just ask God to give me at least 25 great years with a very godly man. I would have loved to celebrate 50 years with a husband but that’s not to be. However I can live vicariously through both of you. Lol! May God bless you both in the second half of your life and marriage. 🙂

  38. 238

    This is a beautiful testimony of commitment to God first, spouse second. When we focus on the bigger picture then the inconviences of marriage become just that. Inconvient not terminal. Happy Anniversary to both of you

  39. 239
    Elaine says:

    Congratulation Beth and Keith. Thanks for being so transparent. It’s refreshing and inspiring that even you have to work a this marriage thing. Just what I needed tonight

  40. 240
    Elaine says:

    Congratulation Beth and Keith. Thanks for being so transparent. It’s refreshing and inspiring that even you have to work a this marriage thing. Just what I needed tonight We just celebrated 19 years so we are half of yours!!

  41. 241
    kathy says:

    Sweet Beth….Happy Anniversary to the both of you !!!!! Your sharing brought a chuckle to my heart…..This is LIFE ! How gracious has Keith been to let you work in ministry, and be at all your conferences throughout the year ….Yep, I bet He does want your attention when you are both home : )….absence from your spouse makes the heart grow fonder !!!

    We celebrate our 46th anniversary April. But I dated my husband 4 years before we got married…so we are pushing 50 !!! He asked me during our dating years if I’d save him a date when he got back from Viet Nam….I did. And one year later we tied the knot, and the rest was His/story.

    I smiled when I read the post, because I had just shared with my group of women at BSF
    a lesson from John Ch 6. I had shared a Rembrandt painting of the disciples in the midst of the storm on the Sea of Galilee. It is so beautiful because as the Scripture says it was very dark, they got into the boat, and Jesus was not with them. The sea arose and a great wind was blowing….They rowed for four miles and THEN they saw JESUS. Though Jesus was not in the boat for that long row, He knew well their plight. Sometimes we ask the LORD where are you ? This chapter can be a comfort to many of us because He promises to be with us. Even when He seems far from us. And esp when our “rowing” may be for years. For me He has taught me that I can still have His joy. And its not the joy that puts a happy face outwardly , but an inner joy that cannot rob me as I trust in Him. If I walk by faith I will and have sensed Himself in the boat with me….The good Book says, they willingly received Him into the boat after He said: ” It is I, do not be afraid !! ” Praise God He is in control of our lives and its unsteady waves.
    Like the captain of a ship, he watches the Lighthouse so he can find safety to land..The waters of life are dangerous and scary. Yet I too have had to cast my eyes on JESUS , the Light of the world. My eternal home is my destination…I must keep looking to Him and rest all my expectations on Him….HE IS FAITHFUL…
    I joke with my husband that we are both on the journey together !! Through high or low waters. We are in it to win it !!! And we promise to meet each other at the finish line ! Even though there will be obstacles, distractions, hardship, and loss.

    Thank you for directing us all to stay focused on Him through many of your studies….He never fails.
    May you and Keith have many more to celebrate…Maybe someday soon we will toast the good wine at the Supper of the Lamb together !

    blessings, hugs, love and prayers

  42. 242
    Paula Williamson says:

    Congratulations to you two…….what a delightful story! I admire you even more now…….I guess God put you two together and y’all just have to stay that way!!!!! Here’s to many more years of wedded “bliss!”

  43. 243
    Wendy says:

    Congratulations!! Happy Anniversary! My husband and I celebrated 20 years in September and it has not always been easy as you stated. Thank you for being real-so tired of people pretending everything is perfect and marriage is easy and also not worth fighting for-divorce is not an option in our lives either. Have a wonderful anniversary!!

  44. 244
    Christine blair says:

    Happy Anniversary

  45. 245
    Cary says:

    28 for us this past October and I could have written a very similar post. I love you, Beth, your honesty makes me want to soar! In laughter and love for Jesus.
    Keith, thank you! I have often prayed for YOU & thanked God for you. We couldn’t have grown spiritually without you, Keith! Thank you for sharing Beth! Love you both. Happy anniversary! ♡

  46. 246
    Nancy Kenney says:

    Oh my! Happy 38, Mr & Mrs! Not too long ago I read for the first time the differences in how you and Keith live your faith. I will say, my marriage of 25 years got a whole lot better when I was given some very sage advice: “My journey with the Lord is not my man’s journey. Leave it alone.” And I took that advice and have journeyed on and he has quietly found his own beautiful way. God is so good, all the time. Thanks for sharing – and enjoy your special day together, laughs and all, from top to bottom!

  47. 247
    Lynn Watson says:

    I love this SO much, Beth!

    I’m enjoying your Wednesday TV show, too!

    Have a Blessed New Year!!

  48. 248
    Judy Harley says:

    Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your life. You are one of my favorite Bible teachers. Have been through many of your studies and it is so refreshing to know that God can and does use us in all of our brokenness. Praying that you have many, many more anniversaries together!

  49. 249
    Mindy says:

    Beth, when I first started participating in your bible studies I tried to picture what your husband would be like. I figured it would be hard to be married to you because you were so gifted and pretty, and some men would be insecure over that. I love that your husband is just who he is, that he hasn’t changed just to make you happy, and that he’s a bit “ornery” (my word, not yours!) Your story -in Christ- is richer because of him. Thanks for having a real marriage like most of the women you minister to! Hope you have many more “pretty good years” to celebrate:)

  50. 250
    Christie says:

    Thank you! Emphatic thank you is all I can articulate. Thank you.

Leave a Reply

To receive a daily digest of comments on this post, enter your email address below: