Better Together
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New Living Translation)
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
Yesterday was our 33rd wedding anniversary. I usually post a great photo of us smiling with a title that says something along the lines of, “30 years of love.” What is it about social media that brings out this show-off side for many of us? We want to let everyone know that we are not just surviving; we are thriving! Just look at the dazzling photo of us having the time of our lives.
So here’s what happened yesterday.
My plan was for us to grab a coffee, take a barefoot walk on the beach, and then have lunch at our favorite spot.
Grady has a lot on his mind as he’s been job hunting these past few months. This week, we received a letter announcing a significant increase in our mortgage. No big deal—God is faithful, and He will show us what to do.
Mid-morning, we headed out, stopping along the way for coffee. We got back in the car, but Grady couldn’t get it to start. He jumped out, lifted the hood, made some adjustments, and off we went on our merry way. It was foggy at the beach, but we walked and talked about our plans for the coming year. The next stop was lunch at our favorite spot. Then, once again, the car wouldn’t start! Grady called a friend for help while I went to pick up a few items from a nearby store. Divide and conquer—no big deal.
I got a text from some friends wishing us a “magical” anniversary. I laughed out loud. “I would not call today ‘magical,’” was my immediate thought. At that very moment, I was reminded of a friend’s quote above her living room cabinet. It said:
“This isn’t home sweet home. Adjust!”
Over the past couple of years, we’ve been through several big life challenges: serious illness, job loss, moving states, and starting over. With the support of friends and family, we have stood back-to-back like strong pillars, refusing to be defeated by these challenges as we renewed our minds to the truth of God’s Word. With Jesus at the center of all we face:
“No weapon formed against us will prosper, and every tongue that rises against us will fall.”
— Isaiah 54:17“One can put a thousand to flight; two can put ten thousand to flight when God is on your side.”
— Deuteronomy 32:30“Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:12“What shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
— Romans 8:31-37
Why did I choose to tell you a story about a day at the beach with little glitches that don’t amount to much in the grand scheme of things?
In the Song of Solomon, known as the greatest love song, there is a part about the “little foxes that spoil the vine.” It reminds me that each day, little things present themselves that we can choose to react to or allow to spoil our day. Why cry over spilled milk (or a dead car battery)?
We didn’t go to lunch. We drove home, took care of the car, made Grady his favorite meal, and watched a show together. That was our day. It wasn’t particularly magical. It had highs (the beach) and lows (the car troubles). Life is like that—there are lots of little foxes and some giants to overcome. We choose to adjust and course-correct. Some days are easier than others.
But as Paul said in Romans 8:37: “No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us.”
Now that’s something to stand on.
As this year comes to a close, we reflect on all we are truly thankful for.
We are so thankful for each other, our family, our friends, and Jesus, who loved us first so that we, in turn, can love one another.
If you are already partnering with us and subscribed to our newsletter, thank you so much!
Wishing you a very joyful and prosperous 2025!
