There aren’t very many 25-year-old women in America today
who have been married for almost 6 years. There also aren’t very many in that
situation that has three kids that are under four years old. Even in that small
group there may not be many who have been a pastor’s wife for over five years,
and are more theologically savvy than some seminary grads. I am beyond blessed
to be married to this woman, and today is her 25th birthday.
On May 16th, 2009 I married my best friend,
Bethany Anne. She was 19 years old, and there were many people who told us that
we were way too young to be married. From the world’s perspective Bethany had
every reason not to marry me. She is brilliant, and she is smarter than I will ever
be. B graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA, and was one of her class
valedictorians. She was offered the Presidential Scholarship to Wayne State
University, and could have earned her undergrad for free. Instead of taking
this route Bethany said, “yes,” when I purposed to her one month after she
graduate high school, and then moved down to Louisville, Kentucky to attend Boyce
College with me. Bethany ended up graduating with her Associates degree, and is
a ferocious reader. There is no doubt in my mind that she could do a Ph.D. if
she wanted to. The world would’ve told her that she wasted her educational
opportunity, but she is quick to confess that she doesn’t regret getting married, and
going to Bible College at all.
Bethany is also incredibly beautiful. I will readily admit
that she is out of my league. I think when most people meet us for the first
time they are confused as to how I landed such a beauty. We have three boys
now, and the world would look at a 25 year old beautiful woman like B, and ask
why she is “wasting” her twenties. Bethany not only disagrees with the presuppositions
of their worldview, but also thinks they’re foolish. Children are a gift from
Jesus, and I can’t believe I get to share these three beautiful boys with this
amazing woman, not to mention the fact that she is MY wife. No one else gets to
be married to her except ME. There are no words to express that gratitude to
God. She cares for our boys, our dog, our home, and me. And she does so with
incredible joy.
As if all of these traits weren’t enough of a blessing,
Bethany loves, and ministers at our local church, Heritage Baptist Church. She
always talks about how she loves to listen to Kevin, and I preach. She serves,
and basically helps to lead our music ministry, and is also a competent teacher
of women. There are many 25-year-old women who care nothing about church.
Bethany is their antithesis. I am writing this blog with complete awareness
that B would not want me to do so because she would be embarrassed. I don’t
care. There is not a man more blessed than I in the entire world, and there are
many days that I don’t appreciate her like I should. I pray that Jesus, and
Bethany would forgive me for when I take her for granite, and that he would
sanctify me even more to love, serve, lead, protect, provide and appreciate her for the
incredible gift that she is.
Happy birthday to my beautiful, and brilliant bride, Bethany
Anne. I love you!
אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל מִ֣י יִמְצָ֑א וְרָחֹ֖ק מִפְּנִינִ֣ים מִכְרָֽהּ
Verum.
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