Do you have a life of answered prayer?  I do.  I look over prayer journals from years past, and see prayer after prayer that God answered.

One of the best answered prayers in my life is my husband, Tom.  Yesterday was our 39th wedding anniversary.  Hard to believe – the years have flown by!  There aren’t too many perfect marriages – because there aren’t any perfect people – but Tom and I have had a good life together.  We’ve had some struggles, but we decided to choose to love each other every day and we have been blessed by that love.

Tom is a big reason for my life of answered prayer.  I started praying about him when I was 15 and got my call to ministry.  Staying faithful in ministry is difficult, so I prayed for a life partner whose strong faith would help us do ministry together.  I dated some different guys and God let me know that none of them were right for me.  Then Tom came along.  He was the President of a Christian fraternity.  He made me laugh and we went to Bible Study and church together.  We even taught a Sunday School class together when we were dating.  Other guys had run away when I told them I was going to be a minister.  But not Tom.  He was God’s answer to my prayer.

And he continued to be God’s answer to my prayer for a ministry partner during 30 years of ministry together.  He never played the organ, like many other minister’s spouses.  But he worked with the youth and went on mission trips.  He started sports ministries.  Most importantly, he supported me and stood by me during times of struggle.

Since our retirement, we have found joy in working together in another kind of ministry.  Volunteering in the National Parks means there are always young rangers who need mentoring and prayer.

A while ago I found a song that exactly expresses how I feel about my life with Tom.  It is called “Answered Prayer” and was recorded by Bob Carlisle and Lisa Bevill.  The lyrics go like this:

At the end of a long day, Can’t close my eyes.
Watching you as the sun sets as it slowly waves goodbye.
It’s times like these I thank the Lord for the life that we share
And every day I spend with you is another answered prayer.

Answered prayer, When your heart touches mine
We’ve found a love only few ever find.
Answered prayer, Now that you’re here
Our love grows richer year after year.
And if life should end tomorrow, I’d leave a millionaire
‘Cause in my heart, I’d take with me
A life of answered prayer

You have shown me the power of what love can do
I see glimpses of heaven with your simple “I Love You”
And every time I think of you, it almost seems unfair
For a man like me to have so many answered prayers

Answered prayer, When your heart touches mine
We’ve found a love only few ever find
Answered prayer, Now that you’re here
Our love grows richer year after year.
And if life should end tomorrow, I’d leave a millionaire
‘Cause in my heart, I’d take with me
A life of– Answered prayer.

Thank you, God, for a life of answered prayer.  Thank you for Tom – my helpmate over so many years.  Continue to grow our love for one another and for you.  

Thank you, Tom, for 39 (mostly) wonderful years.  Every day I spend with you is another answered prayer.