22 Years Ago

July 19th. To some it's their anniversary and to others it's their birthday. To most people it's just another hot summer day. 22 years ago I met my ex-wife. Back then she wasn't my ex or my wife. She was just an incredibly beautiful 17 year old girl. We met by chance. Some might say fate. I like to think by God's design. She had gone to Girls State with one of my best friend's sister. I went to his house on a Friday night and there she was. My friend had gone to a wedding in Star City and I went to the movie with both girls. I asked her out again the next night and I used to say, "We've been going out ever since". We married her second week of college and were married for 19 and 1/2 years. She decided she didn't want to be married or in the ministry and she divorced me in February of 2005. Ironically it was final the day after my birthday and 2 days before hers.
You never know how one person is going to affect your life. I loved my wife and was crazy about her. I doted on her and many say I spoiled her. I would have given my life for her. I got an incredibly awesome, intelligent, and beautiful daughter out of our marriage whom I am so proud of and who is serving God today and in her 3rd year of college. There's no doubt that the divorce set me back. Divorce is like a living death. Incredible pain but without the closure of a funeral. Thanks to a great church family and to God's grace, I'm alive and getting to do what God called me to do with my life.
Why do I put this down for the world wide web to read if they choose to? Because I want you to know that about 6 years before I met my wife who changed my life I met someone else who changed my life. His name is Jesus. I am also pretty crazy about Him. I'd like to think I would give my life for Him. I know that I have given my life to Him. I could not make it through the crazy things that life throws at me if it wasn't for Him. I'm glad I met Jesus before I met my wife because He gives my life purpose and hope regardless of all else that happens to me.
You may have your "July 19th". Oh, it may be a different day and a different life changing moment- the death of a loved one, bad news from a doctor, or a host of other things. My prayer is that you've also had that incredible life changing moment when you gave your life to Jesus so that you have Him in your life to get you through the tough times that life brings.