Together

By: Debbie Christopher ~~I’ve been working on a thought based on something my husband said to me after a busy week of ministry related service a while back. Since I wanted to use it for an anniversary post, I placed it on the back burner for a while.

Fast Forward…

Not too long ago, I was visiting with a friend. As part of our conversation, she shared that she liked to ask long-time married couples for a word of advice. I thought of this drafted, back-burner blog and shared my thought for her list.

Here’s the process of the development of the chosen title:

My husband had been asked by new widow from our Sunday Grow Group class that we lead at our church to perform the funeral of her dear husband. Our pastor was out of town, so this request included assisting the family with funeral plans and preparations as well as performing the ceremony. I assisted my husband with many of the behind-the-scene responsibilities…(not shining light on myself, but making the point for this theme).

After the funeral, we stopped by a come/go birthday celebration for another class member. My socially introverted sweetheart was mentally exhausted as we headed home. He sweetly grabbed my hand in the car and said, “Thank you for all you’ve done today. I love how we do ministry together!”

That word—-together—-struck me, and my thoughts began to develop. What a perfect word for an anniversary blog!

A few months later, the video speaker of our ladies’ Bible study from Genesis* commented on Genesis 2:24. She simply shared that the phrase, ‘became one flesh’ could go much deeper than what we usually consider this phrase to mean…although the two thoughts go hand in hand. She emphasized the thought of becoming one flesh as ultimately meaning…Do life together as one.

Yes, that’s exactly the point I set out to share!

Lo, and behold, just this week, the following post from my social media Memories popped just in time for me to add to this blog. It pretty much sums it up!

47 years ago today I said “I Do”…and I’m so glad I did! We’ve grown together, faced fears together, learned to trust God together, taken opportunities together, cried together, laughed together, shared joys together, ministered together, raised two wonderful kids together, and spoil grandkids together…yes, we’ve truly done life together. I have no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing. I love you, Greg Christopher. Thank you God for our life together!

My word of advice to my dear friend? Plain and simple… Do life together

• Share in each other’s interests

• Support each other as each performs difficult responsibilities

• As committed followers of Christ, serve our Lord—-together

• Be one…

I love you, Greg Christopher…Happy 48th!

~Debbie

*Jen Wilken, God of Creation, Nashville: Lifeway, . 2021.