Happy Anniversary

Monday, November 13th was the 24th anniversary of my marriage to my wife Kandi. I would like to take just a few moments to tell you about my wonderful wife.

Kandi and I met in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the summer of 1977. Interestingly enough, a friend of mine was more interested in her than I was but when it came time to be introduced to her, my friend made it look as if I was the one interested in her.

We went on a couple of dates soon after we met and it did not take me long to realize that I had met a very special young lady. I was not a very dedicated Christian at the time but Kandi was serving the Lord with all of her heart. Her love for the Lord made me realize that I needed to quit serving Jesus half-heartedly and rededicate my life to the Lord - which I did during a youth retreat at the beginning of my junior year of high school.

I did not think that Kandi and I had a future because, after all, I lived in Tennessee and Kandi lived in Florida. But God had a different plan. After five years of a long-distance dating relationship, we got married in November, 1982.

Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing”. That verse certainly describes my wife. Kandi is everything that I ever hoped I could find in a wife. She loves Jesus. She loves me. She is a terrific mother to our three children. She is a great cook. She is a terrific help meet to me. God know exactly what I needed a wife to be, so He gave Kandi to me.

I truly do not have the words could adequately describe how I feel about her. So as I reflect back on our special day, I just want to say to my lovely wife, “I love you” and I thank God for you.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

(Proverbs 31:10-31, KJV).