Happy Birthday, Mary!

 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 ESV).

 

It might seem a bit strange to choose this passage today (cf. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12); however, it seemed fitting to use to honor and celebrate Mary’s birthday. I’m usually a bit subtle about revealing her age, as I will be today. I often tell people, “I’m ugly, not stupid.” That applies to revealing her age! Let’s just say that we have been married for nearly 57 years; you can do the math and get close.

 

I have chosen a caricature made with ChatGPT from a picture taken just outside the Apple Barn Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to attach to today’s devotional/birthday wish. Mary and I began going to the Smokies over five decades ago. Actually, it was before we were married. That trip was wonderous. I had never traveled more than a hundred miles from Galveston until that time. I’d never seen such beauty and grandeur in nature before. I must have seemed such a dweeb as she and her family listened to my exclamations along the route. One particular question seemed to be paramount for me, especially as we crossed the Mississippi River into Tennessee. Getting a bit passed Jackson, Tennessee, I wondered what the mountains would look like. At every turn in the highway I’d see “hills” in the distance and ask, “Are those the mountains?” The answer would come back simply as “not yet.” It wasn’t until Knoxville that the terrain began to change drastically; and, suddenly the Smokies loomed on the horizon. I had to pull the car over and park for a moment or two, snapping some pictures with a small Kodak camera. It was amazing!

 

However, that was just the beginning of amazing things in my life. What I discovered through the years was the most amazing experience in my life would be the strength and joy I would receive with her by my side through the joys and sorrows of life. We still make a trip back to the mountains as often as possible. It is a strong reminder of the treasure God has gifted to us by joining us together in life. Two ARE better than one. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. With Jesus in our life, standing the tests of life have proven that truth from Solomon.

So, Happy Birthday, Mary! It seems such an inadequate expression of all that I celebrate today. However, I hope it touches the tip of the unfathomable riches of this life you have brought to me.

 

To others reading this today, I hope you have such a treasure in your life. No doubt there are some, for many reasons, that do not. I pray you will receive joy and hope in knowing that the Lord knows what you are walking through and He will never fail you. Trust in Him. He has not closed the book He is writing in your life!