This IS personal...30 years..Who knew?

Over thirty years ago I had the same dream for three nights in a row. I saw a man. He looked like a football player. He was on an airplane. I saw the plane flying from coast to coast. I had no clue about the dream's meaning or significance. Only that I awoke with butterflies in my stomach. Months passed and I forgot the dream. One day coming home from work pulling into my driveway I saw a man getting out of his car and without thought I stopped my car and looked at him. He looked at me and began to walk towards my car. I became aware of my sitting there and began to drive away but for some reason I stopped and waited for him to approach my car. He said hello and told me that he had just moved to California and was over six thousand miles away from home and didn't know anyone. As I looked at him something inside of me "clicked" that's the only way to describe it. Without thought I invited him over for a drink and showed him where my house was. He informed me that he lived across the street. I went inside my house and called my stepmother and told her I just met my husband. He came over a bit later. I didn't remember the dream and forgot what happened inside of me within moments.

Donnie Luster was a high school All Star in four sports and a two sport college athlete. He was invited to workouts with nearly every NFL team. He was working for Piedmont Airlines when he transferred from  Virginia to California to get away from a girl he was entangled with for six years and flew right into our destiny. (Interesting I didn't realize this was the man in my dreams)

We met in March 1985 and married on September 21, 1985. I did not know Jesus Christ as Savior or Lord. I knew of Him as the Son of God that died and envisioned Him on the cross. I loved God in what I knew of Him which was simply that He was God. That was the extent of my understanding. I did believe that I would be a good wife. In fact, I honestly was quite prideful in my thoughts of what a good wife I would be. I based my thoughts on the wives I knew that I thought weren't very good and determined I would not be like them. I knew Donnie needed me and I wanted to be needed.

We began our lives together with no planning, no arrangements and no family support. We had agreed to one thing that no matter what, we didn't believe in divorce. We went to the courthouse stood in front of a stranger (judge) and exchanged vows. We went to Sizzler to celebrate and ate at the buffet because that's what we could afford and were perfectly content. That night we went to the beach and sat by the water and talked about our future. There was just a knowing that our being together was right. Who knew?

God in His great mercy sent His servant, my brother Michael, at a time of great need within our first year of marriage and God revealed His Son Jesus to us. We were both baptized in the Holy Spirit that day. My eyes were opened and my heart was changed. He took my stony heart away and gave me a heart of flesh. He gave me the right to become a son of God and gave me access to God the Father. I will never forget Donnie saying to me "you finally feel loved." Donnie knew that even though we were married that his love could not fill the void in me. It was during this time that I was reminded of the dream I had about the man on the plane and knew Donnie was the man.

Throughout the years there has been trails, great heartache, anger, fear, sorrow and sin in both of us. Yet there has been great joy, appreciation, graciousness, growth, patience, laughter and so much love. Who knew?

Today, the day before our 30 year anniversary, I think back to that foolish girl with so much pride. How I thought I knew so much. I remember how I thought Donnie needed me never realizing how much I needed him. Who knew? Who knew that this man would be the love of my life? Who knew that the man in my dreams would be perfect for me? Who knew that he would accept me with all my quirks and shortcomings and make me feel special and beautiful? I am completely myself with him without reservation and I am safe. Who knew that he would support and encourage the call of God on our lives and see who Christ is in me? Who knew he would be a man I am proud to say is the father of my children? Who knew he would be known in our community and well spoken of? Who knew that if we endured we would experience the joy we have today?

God knew! In His infinite wisdom He chose Donnie for me. I have learned that God is faithful in spite of me. I have learned His thoughts toward me are good and not evil. I have gained wisdom, patience and endurance. I learned from the wisdom of Solomon, "if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is weak indeed." In these years I have learned of God.

I wanted to share my joy with you all. For God has truly blessed me beyond my own imaginings. In all things I desire to teach His body that we may grow. My hope is that in this declaration of the power of God you are encouraged. May His faithfulness be glorified and you know He is no respecter of persons. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. So often we have plans, desires and thoughts about and for our lives and our prayers are that God blessed them without understanding God knows and He will if we will yield ourselves to Him. Sometimes we bail out and never experience the joy set before us because all we can see is the trial at the time. Here are a few lessons I've learned on the way:

1. When you don't know what to do, do nothing! Meaning don't act in the moment because you'll probably make the wrong move and regret it.
2. Don't let the sun go don't on your wrath. Say you're sorry even if it's for the thousand time, even if you don't mean it at the moment. Make peace.
3. Forgive and forget it...let it go!
4. Don't say those things that you know will hurt your spouse, somethings are hard to take back.
5. Never let the pain you're experiencing in the moment let you lose sight of the love you have.
6. Let those that have wisdom encourage you in your relationship, everyone doesn't have wisdom.

Had I not learned to practice some of this things, I wouldn't have this love-story today. I pray that God give Donnie and I another thirty years together. And that we live to see our children's children and rejoice. May God bless us all and strengthen us and enlighten the eyes of our understanding and keep our hearts.