I
T WAS A
hot and muggy Fourth of July weekend at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. I wanted to see the fireworks and asked my girlfriends if they would meet me there. This was the first time none of my friends wanted to go out and see the fireworks and go to the party afterward. So, for the first time in my life, I went out alone. I was driven to go out—the Lord was setting me up on a blind date.
I actually was dating someone else when I met my husband. It wasn’t serious at all, so after the fireworks I asked a soldier to sign me in (you needed an ID card or someone to vouch for you) in order to get in. I went into the club, and it was crowded. It was standing room only. I went to the bar area, and there was only one seat left, right in front of my future husband. I asked him if anyone was sitting in the seat, and he answered no. He invited me to join him. He offered me a drink and asked me for a dance, and the rest is history…a lot of history.
My husband and I were married eight months later. Our daughter was born four months after that. Within weeks, he was sent to Germany for eighteen months. I remember being shocked and traumatized when I found out he was leaving. He’d had the orders when we met. I told him when we started dating that if he got orders to leave that I would not wait for him. I had known too many sisters who had gotten their feelings hurt waiting on a promise, so I guess that’s why he didn’t tell me. I was in my senior year in college and did not want to risk losing credits, and I wanted to graduate on time, so we decided it was best that I stay and complete my degree. At first, he was calling me faithfully. Although the phone bills were ridiculous, we talked every week. I went to Europe after I had our daughter and spent two weeks with my husband. When I returned home, we continued to talk on a regular basis. Because of the separation, our marriage was put to the test. God intervened and allowed forgiveness to enter into our relationship, thus strengthening our marriage. He then saved us and became the source that we draw from. That was thirty-three years ago. Life has not always been easy, however, through the grace of God we have overcome the tactics of the enemy. Yes, I have the power. The power of the Holy Spirit.