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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: MARRIAGE (08/25/16)
My parents never sent me to church. They took me. A shining example of a happy marriage, they always put God first. I pray to leave behind such a legacy of love.

I gave my heart to Jesus as a young boy, realizing how important God was. As a family we prayed together and took the time to read the Bible. I learned to let the Holy Spirit be my guide. My dad also gave me fatherly advice on life and love that I never forgot.

However, when I started dating, I really wasn't thinking about who I'd marry one day. A pretty girl was a pretty girl whether she was a cheerleader or president of the student body. Some girls were into sports while others focused on academics. Some girls were tomboys. Some were beauty queens. Open and outgoing or quiet and shy, they were all pretty as a picture! Yet I learned a valuable lesson along the way. Beauty really is only skin deep.

Though I dated a lot during these years, I remained close to God. I prayed daily. While I certainly deserved no medals for being perfect, the Holy Spirit continued to guide me. Many girls were just not in God’s plan for my life. I knew temptation would always be there. Satan would try to take me down the road leading to destruction. No way!

My parents were happily married for 52 years. I’m sure they had their ups and downs but their love and respect for one another was an inspiration. In our home, God came first. Family came next. Dad said good marriages don’t just happen. But the family that prays together stays together.

The Bible warns against being unequally yoked. From the time I became interested in girls, dad reminded me to follow God's instructions. He advised me to one day marry someone who loved Jesus the way I did. He'd often quote Proverbs 19: 14 to me. I never forgot this verse, nor the love I saw in dad’s eyes.

“Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife”.
Proverbs 19:14 New Living Translation

Time moved on and one day, by God's design, you walked into my life. It didn't take long for me to realize you were the kind of girl my dad told me to marry. Your voice was one of hope. Your smile was as a light shining in the darkness. You had class and charm. You boldly professed your faith in God.

You exhibited a strength that came from the depths of your soul. Your heart was good as gold and pure as the freshly fallen snow. My dad's words began to echo in my mind. There was no question. I'd fallen in love. I knew you were the kind of girl my dad told me to marry.

I dated many young women through the years. But only you made my heart skip a beat. I never experienced such a feeling in my life. Though the world was filled with pretty girls, none but you came across in such a special way.

Filled with compassion for others, you were kind and caring. You loved all of mankind, never judging anyone. You cared not if someone rented a little shanty in the woods or owned a big mansion on the hillside. Your eyes were blinded and your ears deafened to any form of prejudice.

In you, I found my treasure. You were beautiful inside and out! Taking pride in the way you carried yourself, you moved forward with grace and dignity. As a flower, dancing in the wind, your spirit was free. Indeed, you were the kind of girl my Dad told me to marry.

Looking into your eyes of blue, I read the pages of your heart. Gentle as a lamb and bold as an eagle, you made others feel like they belonged. Every life mattered.

Your smile turned the darkest sky to blue. My every dream come true, you were an answered prayer. I was confident I could count on you being there if I needed a shoulder to lean on.

Yes, my dad always told me I’d know when I found the girl God had for me. He was so right! When I found you, I knew for sure, you were the kind of girl my Dad told me to marry. And Praise The Lord, I did!
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This article has been read 666 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Larry Whittington
09/02/16
Yes wisdom goes a long way whether it is from our Heavenly father or a Heaven centered earthly father. Yes, God has the right mate for us if we will listen and even sometimes wait.

Well told family story.It should be an encouragement to anyone searching. Don't let our body over rule the Holy Spirit.
Pat Small
09/02/16
Well done. MC comes through loud and clear.
C D Swanson 
09/03/16
Awwww! I loved this!

Beautiful and touching entry.

Blessings~
Rhonda Burns
09/04/16
How blessed you are! To be raised in the family you were in and to find your special girl is a gift from God. Now you too can leave an impressionable legacy. I loved reading this and particularly liked the line you wrote "Looking into your eyes of blue, I read the pages of your heart." Nice job.
Jennifer Liang 
09/05/16
I loved this! I really like the discernible shift in the middle. The first half is looking and the second half is found. A great dedication to your wife ad your father's wisdom!

Thanks for sharing!
Judy Sauer 
09/05/16
Such a moving and elegant story you have written. Your words captured my heart from beginning to end. I hope this does well with the judges, because it's a winner in my eyes. Good luck. You are a superb writer.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/09/16
Congratulations on ranking 6th in your level. The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.