PLANS FOR THE FUTURE ~ August 13, 1977
Part two of a two part story.
The story of two people who met and were so different. Yesterday we left off talking about frustrations of life. Little things need to stay little or can truly explode into something big. Both of us have changed in many ways since we first met in 1973.
In 1977 we got married and in 1985 things began to change greatly. Terry fell from a construction site and we were told it's a miracle that his face wasn't crushed. His hard hat, kept his face safe. He got a big cut on his head, broken knee cap and cracked ribs. Finances changed, attitudes changed and we quickly learned who were real friends. How do you make the best of things when your kids are hungry, bill collectors are calling and the money in the bank is gone? Where is God at times like these? I realized that God is still God and hard things happen to everyone. Some people were only around when money was around. Have you ever had friends like that? Well, those aren't friends at all. Life took us back to the wedding vows.
WEDDING VOWS ~
For better or worse, for richer or poorer
When I stood there saying the wedding vows, I did not have a clue of what the worse or poorer side of life might be. We both grew up on the poor side of life, but together, we found it so hard for us as adults. We had to face hard days. I never imagined Terry getting hurt and we had just bought our first house. As the bill collectors called, we would fuss. We had a five year old and a two year old. Terry became depressed and it took almost one year before he would go back to being a carpenter again. The miracle was in the process of time and he did go back to work.
MARRIGE ~
Vows are forever
When I feel so frustrated with Terry, I always go back to my feelings when we first dated. I didn't want him to go home and I enjoyed his company. After 43 years of marriage and 4 years of friendship, we press forward. The wedding picture reminds me of the promises I made that day to Terry. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.
MARRIAGE ~
Retirement and the pandemic of 2020
Retirement brought out lives together even more. No more long hours of work, no kids at home and what's next? We didn't plan ahead for retirement financially. We should have saved more money and knew our options at retirement. For example, we didn't know that Carpenters would no longer pay for medical in retirement days. That takes about $1,000 a month for medical for us. That brought on frustrations of life. Our retirement was living pay check to pay check until we could get social security and medicare. We became one of those commercials on TV. Plan ahead and start saving today. No matter what age you are, make sure you have a good retirement plan from your job. Save something weekly even if it's a a few dollars a week. Most of us spend a few dollars in places we don't need but want like coffee. Buy yourself a coffee, but treat your bank to savings of the same amount.
GRANDKIDS ~
We are over joyed with each of our grandchildren. We count it an honor and blessings to be part of their lives. Living an example of Jesus before them and finding time to play, taking them places and be part of their lives in whatever ways we can. We would stop anything, to be there for our grandkids. The blessings outweigh anything to us. I know what why they are called GRAND kids, because it truly is GRAND being in their lives. Our example to the grandkids God has put into our lives, is such an honor and responsibility.
Proverbs 13:22 New International Version
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
God has placed a responsibility on each of us. Our example is one of our choice and God's plan. We can make excuses of why we can not do something or we can step up and be a good example to others. Through it all, my marriage has been one that is good, but also one that has been hard. We have learned to forgive each other, press forward and count blessings of life. We have both made mistakes over time. We have learned to stop comparing our lives to others, live in the now and do our best daily. Nobody's life is perfect and we all have desires of our hearts. God is faithful and let us not forget that. The Bible says to renew your mind and in doing this, you can refresh your life and say positive words. Make sure you pray and seek God before you get marry. God does connect lives and there is true blessings in waiting on the Lord too. We are to be equally yoked together ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV). We must remember that people change over time, it is good to change together and not drift apart in marriage.
Thank you for all the anniversary messages. My prayers continue for the readers of my blog, your family and friends. Happy NEW day~
~ Sparkie
Part two of a two part story.
The story of two people who met and were so different. Yesterday we left off talking about frustrations of life. Little things need to stay little or can truly explode into something big. Both of us have changed in many ways since we first met in 1973.
In 1977 we got married and in 1985 things began to change greatly. Terry fell from a construction site and we were told it's a miracle that his face wasn't crushed. His hard hat, kept his face safe. He got a big cut on his head, broken knee cap and cracked ribs. Finances changed, attitudes changed and we quickly learned who were real friends. How do you make the best of things when your kids are hungry, bill collectors are calling and the money in the bank is gone? Where is God at times like these? I realized that God is still God and hard things happen to everyone. Some people were only around when money was around. Have you ever had friends like that? Well, those aren't friends at all. Life took us back to the wedding vows.
WEDDING VOWS ~
For better or worse, for richer or poorer
When I stood there saying the wedding vows, I did not have a clue of what the worse or poorer side of life might be. We both grew up on the poor side of life, but together, we found it so hard for us as adults. We had to face hard days. I never imagined Terry getting hurt and we had just bought our first house. As the bill collectors called, we would fuss. We had a five year old and a two year old. Terry became depressed and it took almost one year before he would go back to being a carpenter again. The miracle was in the process of time and he did go back to work.
MARRIGE ~
Vows are forever
When I feel so frustrated with Terry, I always go back to my feelings when we first dated. I didn't want him to go home and I enjoyed his company. After 43 years of marriage and 4 years of friendship, we press forward. The wedding picture reminds me of the promises I made that day to Terry. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.
MARRIAGE ~
Retirement and the pandemic of 2020
Retirement brought out lives together even more. No more long hours of work, no kids at home and what's next? We didn't plan ahead for retirement financially. We should have saved more money and knew our options at retirement. For example, we didn't know that Carpenters would no longer pay for medical in retirement days. That takes about $1,000 a month for medical for us. That brought on frustrations of life. Our retirement was living pay check to pay check until we could get social security and medicare. We became one of those commercials on TV. Plan ahead and start saving today. No matter what age you are, make sure you have a good retirement plan from your job. Save something weekly even if it's a a few dollars a week. Most of us spend a few dollars in places we don't need but want like coffee. Buy yourself a coffee, but treat your bank to savings of the same amount.
GRANDKIDS ~
We are over joyed with each of our grandchildren. We count it an honor and blessings to be part of their lives. Living an example of Jesus before them and finding time to play, taking them places and be part of their lives in whatever ways we can. We would stop anything, to be there for our grandkids. The blessings outweigh anything to us. I know what why they are called GRAND kids, because it truly is GRAND being in their lives. Our example to the grandkids God has put into our lives, is such an honor and responsibility.
Proverbs 13:22 New International Version
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
God has placed a responsibility on each of us. Our example is one of our choice and God's plan. We can make excuses of why we can not do something or we can step up and be a good example to others. Through it all, my marriage has been one that is good, but also one that has been hard. We have learned to forgive each other, press forward and count blessings of life. We have both made mistakes over time. We have learned to stop comparing our lives to others, live in the now and do our best daily. Nobody's life is perfect and we all have desires of our hearts. God is faithful and let us not forget that. The Bible says to renew your mind and in doing this, you can refresh your life and say positive words. Make sure you pray and seek God before you get marry. God does connect lives and there is true blessings in waiting on the Lord too. We are to be equally yoked together ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV). We must remember that people change over time, it is good to change together and not drift apart in marriage.
Thank you for all the anniversary messages. My prayers continue for the readers of my blog, your family and friends. Happy NEW day~
~ Sparkie
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