October 3, 2020 (Saturday)
Today would have been the 67th anniversary of our wedding, and I continue to think of this day as special even though Wanda has been with the Lord for nearly eighteen years.
Wanda and I were married in a simple ceremony in a pastor’s home in Dallas the evening of October 3, 1953. Afterwards, we had dinner at a downtown Dallas restaurant with my mother and stepfather, and then drove northward, stopping for the night at McKinney, Texas, because we drove into a blinding rainstorm accompanying a cold front. We went to church the next morning at the First Baptist Church of McKinney. The lady sitting nearby complimented us on our voices as we sang the hymns.
On Sunday afternoon we drove to Turner Falls, Oklahoma, a beautiful spot for a honeymoon trip.
And so it began. We were married for 48 years, but I’d rather say we have been married for 66 years, because I still feel that way. Like others, we began with two, but now, including those who married into the family, and Wanda, Debbie, and Rick, there are 24. (Matrimonial arithmetic: 1 + 1 = 24).
Now we are a family of 24..but wait, what about my Christian family? Oh, my, I am so thankful that the number is great. And the people are great. God is good. Better to me than I deserve, that’s for sure.
October 3 is the anniversary of our wedding, but every day is also special. Each day is “Count Your Blessings Day!” I’ve lived almost 33,000 days so far and am still counting blessings. Thank you, Lord.
Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman
1897
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. (Refrain)
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. (Refrain)
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. (Refrain)
(You may like seeing videos of the falls. Just go to Youtube and type “Turner Falls”)
It was a quiet, peaceful spot when Wanda and I were there in 1953. A little different now.