Life by Grace Alone

(Most of our married life Steve has written me poetry on either my birthday or our anniversary. This piece was for our anniversary in December.) "Ordinary....how dull, why isn't your relationship extraordinary, exhilarating, memorable? some might say, What is more extraordinary  than joy that grows,  happiness that increases,  appreciation for one another that comes to greater flower?  Isn't there a blessedness of knowing the same person well?  Isn't it memorable to have shared   births and deaths,   copious tears and ringing laughter,   times of plenty and penury,   meals of the richest fare and Sunday evening snacks,   stifling heat and the cold of winter,   lumpy beds and Miss Mockett's broken chairs,   huddling close for warmth,   drinking tea laden with sympathy,    new and old traditions and unexpected adventures,    London,    Bermuda,    Mbale,   ...

The Nutcracker Suite is almost as common at Christmas as Jingle Bells and Silent Night. Although I had heard about it for many years December of 1970 was my first opportunity to see the ballet. I was a student at U of Md.I was pretty sure that this guy I had met through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship might very well have been the ONE. I wonder if God choreographed the dance we were performing. Only one of us at a time was certain of the future. That was the one who led the way while the other pulled back fearful of moving too fast or in the wrong direction.  I was somewhat surprised when Steve mentioned the ballet. Now I could actually see what all the talk had  been about.We had settled in our seats and the ballet had begun. Steve's arm was draped across my shoulders and at least two or three times he would pull me close and whisper that he loved me. I knew I liked him but love? I wasn't sure but I had to say something. I responded with an "I love you too" All I...