What Makes Me Secure

Life is full of uncertainties. There are few things I can count on as anchors in the storm.

Many of the people and things I thought I could rely on turned out to be false hopes. So what do I count on for my sense of security? If I’ve learned anything in my life to date it is this: I can count on my God and Dorothy, my wife.

Before we moved to Sidney, she and I owned and operated The Town & Country Shopper in Albion, NE. Circumstances beyond our control drove us into bankruptcy. Those we thought were our friends turned on us. Even the local church we attended turned their backs on us. We lost our business, home, reputation and credit. There were many days we wondered where we would live, and what we would eat. Through it all God, through Jesus Christ, provided an anchor in the storm. Things got pretty rough, but we always had some kind of roof over our heads and food on the table, though it was slim at times. As long as I know He is with me, I am secure in all things.

And Dorothy has proven to be the only human being I have 100% been able to rely on. She has stayed by my side even when I’ve screwed up big time. In good times and bad, Dorothy is always there. She is strong where I am weak. She brings joy and laughter when I’m down in the dumps. I could go on and on about what she does for me. There is no better life mate than Dorothy. As long as I have her love I can face anything with confidence. God blessed me with the best security blanket a man can have.

I met Dorothy while in the Navy and we dated several times. It didn’t take very long before I decided that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. After one of our dates she drove me back to my barracks. I had her wait in the visitors lounge while I went to my room to get a dog tag chain holding a wedding ring set. After arriving back at the lounge, I went down on one knee, took her hand and asked her to marry me as I slipped the engagement ring on her finger. Later, she said she was stuck with me because she couldn’t get the ring off. I’m glad of that!

On June 17 of this year we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Many of her friends and neighbors told her that our marriage wouldn’t last more than a year or two, if that long! Were they ever wrong! And I am forever grateful.

As an anniversary gift to her, I will be devoting the majority of my time and effort through the rest of this year to her. We have plans of traveling back to California and going other places. To give you an idea of how much she means to me… this year I am assisting in taking care of her gardens and I’ve never liked gardening! Mowing a yard is about all I usually do. But, as a result of the two strokes she’s suffered, it is difficult for her to take care of her flower gardens.

All kidding aside, as much as I like writing articles, seeing them published and hearing the feedback from readers, I love my wife of 50 years a whole great big lot more. Outside of service in our local church, the rest of this year (and for many years hence) I’m devoting the majority of my time to Dorothy. She deserves it. After all, no one else has been able to put up with me as long as she has! (Warning: If I have any slack time, I might write another article or 2…)

Dorothy and I are looking forward to many more years of togetherness. Together with her and my Lord Jesus I know our future will be blessed regardless of what the world may throw at us.