Wednesday, June 18, 2014

For my sweetheart!

Romans 13:7

King James Version (KJV)
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today, I want to step out of character a bit and get personal.

I remember when I was single (again). I remember how lonely and miserable I was. I remember crying out to God for a wife- literally crying. I told him I wanted a woman that loved HIM more than she would love me. 

The next day, I met Della Mae. Not only was she beautiful (and she still is), but she truly loved God in all she did. 


I remember vividly the night we were at her mother's grave. She was grieving. I was trying to be a comfort to her and praying for her. The Lord broke into my prayers and actually spoke to me: "This is my gift to you, and your responsibility. Take care of her."

We were married on Feb 23, 1999. I have never regretted it. This wonderful woman has tolerated me working long hours- for not much pay. She has never had "the best" this world has to offer. Yet, she loves me just the same.

She prays for me and our children (and grandchildren). Her health is not the greatest, but she keeps pushing herself to perform her wifely duties and to pray.

She gets up with me (at 2 or 3 AM) and fixes my lunch. She talks to me on the phone to make sure I make it safely to work. When she hangs up, she reads the word and prays for us all. Then, she tries to get a little sleep. And she greets me with a hug and a smile when I get home 12-14 hours later.

We've lived in 14 different homes in 6 different states in the last 15 years. Yet, she doesn't whine and complain as most women would. She deserves to live in a mansion! But, she accepts what little I can do.

She tolerates the time I put into writing, because she loves me.

She cooks. She cleans. She does her best to make our small income stretch as far as it can. She takes care of the animals. She home-schooled our daughters. We only have one vehicle, so she's "stuck at home" all day, but she never pitches a fit about it. She gives godly counsel to the whole family. She even gets in our faces if we need it.

When I've grown frustrated and wanted to throw in the towel and give up, she's the one who helped me to keep standing. When I've started to get out of line, she prayed. Many's the time, I have been spanked by God because of her praying, "You get his attention, Lord."

But she's not just focused on us. When she sees other's needs, she prays and tries to reach out to them. Several times, her godly generosity has turned potential enemies into friends.

Our children know she loves them and would do anything she can for them- except sin.

I've never met a sweeter, kinder, more giving and loving woman than my Della Mae.

Many have wounded her heart, but she keeps on loving. Many have used and abused her, but she keeps on giv
ing. Many have stopped being friendly with her because she won't compromise the word of God, but she loves them anyway.

So, for no other reason than to say, "I love you, Della Mae Winskie," I write this today. Honey, you are the sweetest, most wonderful, most beautiful woman God has ever made. I am humbled and honored to be the undeserving recipient of your love and devotion.

Thank you for teaching me what true love is. I see it every time I look at you.
I love you with all my heart.

Your devoted husband, Mike




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