Date: 7/27/2010
<br>Author: Devin
<br>Title: Love beyond the grave
<br><br>July 28, 2010<br><br>“I asked my new friend, Dean, for permission to share his story with you. It’s too good not to share. It’s about all the things I love: marriage, love and God. Instead of me retelling the story in my words, I’m going to let him tell it, exactly as he told me. A little warning here, you’re going to love the story, but you may want to grab a Kleenex before you read any further. <br><br>The following is a story of a very special valentine that I received on Valentine’s Day of last year (2009).<br>After 38 years of marriage, in March of 2001, God in His sovereign will took my wife home to heaven, where I will meet her again some day. It wasn’t long before the old homestead became too large of a house for me to look after. So after 44 years of living in the same house, on January 31, 2009, I moved to a much smaller condo. <br><br>It took me some time to get the house the way I wanted it. In the study I wanted a picture on the wall that would let me focus on tranquility and have a bearing on my Christian beliefs. Looking through the pictures my wife had collected, and that I had taken down from the walls in our old house, I came across this one picture of a church. My attention was immediately drawn to it. As I was getting it ready to hang, I turned it over to get the measurements and noticed an envelope taped on the back. Thinking that it was probably the story of who made the picture I decided to open it up and read it. To my surprise it started out, “Dear Dean.” As I read through it, I realized it was from my wife and that it had to have been written in the last months she was alive. Here’s what the letter said…<br><br>Dear Dean,<br>You are the light of my life. I am so thankful that you are my husband. You have been a godly example as a husband, father, and grandfather. I thank God that He brought us together. I have had a wonderful life with you. You are my sunshine and inspiration. Your Christian walk has been so consistent. I love you more today than when we were married. Thanks for being such a loving, understanding and helpful husband. <br><br>Love, Beryl <br>Isn’t God good? After all these years He knew how much I was missing her at this time and this is what he had for me. Now people who know me know that I have not been exaggerating on what a remarkable wife Beryl was. I sure didn’t deserve a woman like her, but I still thank God for giving me a woman like her.<br><br>Dean Balser”             (copied from Trey Morgan)<br><br><br>I could not help but be drawn to the above story, especially as we are near the conclusion of our “Fireproof Your Marriage” Sunday morning study.  Jerrie Wayne has done an excellent job in leading our weekly discussions on this important topic.  The love that is evident in the marriage above between Dean and Beryl is one we should all strive and seek for.  And don't forget, that same horizontal love that we have in our earthly relationships should also be applied to the one vertical relationship that is more important than any.  <br><br><br><br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin