From the beginning he has always put me first in everything he does. Everything is done with me and the children in consideration. No matter if it was choosing a meal to eat or even a place to live, our desires were always considered first. Once when he was sending out resumes, he decided to send one to my home state, even though I never expressed a desire to move closer home. We ended up near my parents for 6 years which was such a blessing. Our children had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my parents and thus build a relationship which has lasted through the years even though we are no longer nearby.
He jokes that he married a young wife so that she could take care of him in his old age. But it turned out that he has had to give up a lot to be my caregiver for the past 5 years. He says it is just part of the wedding vows. But vows or no vows, he loves me that much. So much that he would take the time to care for me even at the expense of his some of his work. To me, that is an amazing love that I cannot describe.
Today is his birthday. I would like to nominate my Michael as the next inductee into the Halls of Faith. He loves His God and trusts him, leaving a great legacy for me and our children and grandchildren.
He is like Abel .... He always give of his best for the Savior .. at any expense.
He is like Enoch ... His preaching always pleased God. He spoke what was right and true.
He is like Noah ... he does what is right before God. After his first wife died, he continued strong in his faith because he knew that many were watching. Many were expecting him to give up the faith, but he did not. He took only 3 Sundays off from preaching the word because he wanted to prove that what he had preached in the past was true. That God would sustain you through the worst of times.
He is like Abraham ... He has obeyed God and gone wherever God asked him to go. He left Georgia as a young Christian to preach in Mississippi, against the "good judgment" of others who thought he was making a mistake. He had no support, he just took his wife and went where God had called. Another time, he went to Wisconsin. Very different from south Georgia, but God blessed his ministry there.
He was also like Abraham, having faith to have two more children after we married. He knew that he would be close to retirement getting them raised. But he had faith that God would provide.
He is like Joseph ... He spoke the Words that God gave him, no matter the consequences. And God blessed him wherever he was.
He is like Moses ... He became a great leader to many believers and churches for forty years. He continues to have faith the God will provide his needs.
He is like many of the prophets ... many prophets, such as Gideon, were not revered as the greatest, the youngest in the family, least important. Michael doesn't see himself as talented or a great speaker, but he trusts God and allows Him to work through him, and God has made him an amazing speaker, leader, and compassionate pastor.
He is like David ... Though he lost part of his family, he did not turned away from God. He kept the faith and led his people in righteousness.
I could say much more, but there is not time.
32 What more should I say? There is not enough time to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Samson and of Jephthah and of David and of Samuel and of the early preachers. 33 It was because these people had faith that they won wars over other countries. They were good leaders. They received what God promised to them. They closed the mouths of lions 34 and stopped fire that was burning. They got away from being killed with swords. They were made strong again after they had been weak and sick. They were strong in war. They made fighting men from other countries run home. 35 It was because some women had faith that they received their dead back to life. Others chose to be beaten instead of being set free, because they would not turn against God. In this way, they would be raised to a better life. 36 Others were talked against. Some were beaten. Some were put in chains and in prison. 37 They were killed by stones being thrown at them. People were cut in pieces. They were tested. They were killed with swords. They wore skins of sheep and goats and had nothing they could call their own. They were hungry and sick. Everyone was bad to them. 38 They walked around in deserts and in mountains. They looked for caves and holes in the earth to live in. They were too good for this world.39 It was because of their faith that God was pleased with them. Hebrews 11
His reward in heaven will be great because he will bring with him many other believers. Most importantly, he is building a legacy that will last for generations. I can't thank him enough for that.
He is the love of my life.
What a lovely tribute to someone who sounds like a wonderful man.
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