I want to begin by saying this is not something I normally do.  I am sure that I will be in for a mild scolding once this is published.

My wife and I celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary today.  I don’t toss out the word “blessed” that often, but I have, indeed, been blessed.

This past Sunday was my last Sunday as pastor at our church.  Folks in the church were so generous in their comments toward me.  Yet, my wife has been the one to hold things together all these years.  We are not only partners in life, but partners in ministry.  We have been with each other every step of the way.  But as far as ministerial qualities, she rises to the top.  She is a minister in every sense of the word.

She is one of the most compassionate people I have ever known.  She always looks for the good in others.  We all know that “good in others” is sometimes hard to find.  However, she finds it.

She is slow to anger and extremely patient.  (She’s lived with me for 31 years.)  Nothing seems to throw her off her game.  She is able to “roll with the punches” and keep on going.  She doesn’t get “rattled” too often.

She demonstrates sacrificial love in relationships.  There is nothing she wouldn’t do for her two daughters (and a new son-in-law).  Through the years, she has given innumerable hours to the pursuits of her children.  She is a devoted daughter herself, always striving to help maintain a quality of life for her parents.

Her love and compassion for the people with whom she works is a testimony to Christian character.  She encounters “the least of these” quite often in the workplace.  And she demonstrates Jesus’ admonition to “care for these.”

I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without this wonderful person being part of it.  Again, I am likely to get slightly admonished for publishing this.  But that’s the kind of person I married.  She deflects attention from herself to others and does not desire to be in the limelight…another Christlike quality.

If anyone wants to view what it’s like to live the Christian life the way it is meant to be lived, spend a little time with this one who has been part of my life for these past 31 years.  I am very grateful.