Sixty-three years ago my sweet husband, Greg, was born, and I was privileged to be married to him for almost 37 years before he died. Today, a few precious words he wrote just before he died touched my heart and brought healing and hope.
I started completely over plotting my 2nd novel tonight. The “muse” was there–the ideas coming faster than I could write. Actually, what some writers call the “muse,” I call the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. As I put myself in the main character’s shoes and allowed her to journal, I realized how much of what God showed me years ago in my marriage, He wants to show this character. And, ultimately, my readers. As with any relationship, Greg and I had good times and rough spots. God so graciously introduced us to a Spirit-filled Christian counselor who taught us to communicate more effectively, set loving boundaries, and learn to respect and honor each other as unto the Lord. With God’s help, our marriage went from about a seven to WAY over the ten we both wanted! Praise God!
Anyway, as I finished working tonight, I thought about this being Greg’s birthday and how much of what we shared will indiscreetly go into this book. Totally different circumstances, but the same lessons to be learned.
That being said, the memory of what we shared brought great regret to my heart as it has ever since Greg died. Regret that we didn’t learn what we learned years earlier. Regret for not trying to understand my husband better. For not totally knowing his heart until the 2nd half of our marriage. I don’t feel guilty, but I do feel incredibly sad. I’ve prayed and asked God to help me give this sadness up, but didn’t know how to do it.
Tonight I was finally able to release that sorrow when I realized that what we experienced together will go on to bless others and bring them joy in the Lord. As I did, peace filled my heart, and I remembered something Greg wrote in a letter he left me when he died. “Don’t look back. This is just life on earth. We will be together throughout all eternity.”
I will write this book with that in mind. This will be my birthday gift for Greg. My love for him will go forward as a gift to others. That would make Greg SO happy. And me, too.
God-Moments
6/8/2019 11:46:00 PM by: Barbara E. Haley
When Life Happens!
1/23/2019 9:31:00 PM by: Barbara Haley
Great Deals for Christmas!
11/24/2018 3:18:00 PM by: Barb Haley
Guardian Angel to the Rescue
9/16/2018 3:52:00 PM by: Barbara E. Haley
Biz On the Go Now Available!
6/10/2018 10:35:00 PM by: Barb Haley
Nothing Compares!
4/5/2018 2:26:00 AM by: Barb Haley
STUCK in your Comfort Zone?
2/5/2018 10:04:00 PM by: Barb Haley
There's a Song in the Air!
12/15/2017 8:20:00 PM by: Barbara E. Haley
When you think you're finished, and then . . . God!
8/6/2017 8:18:00 PM by: Barb Haley
Those Branches HAD to Go!
5/30/2017 12:25:00 PM by: Barb
Eight Years Later ...
1/9/2017 1:00:00 AM by: Barb
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
12/16/2016 11:58:00 PM by: Barb
O Holy Night
12/15/2016 11:49:00 PM by: Barb
A White Christmas
12/13/2016 11:54:00 PM by: Barb
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
12/12/2016 12:04:00 AM by: Barb
We Three Kings
12/11/2016 1:00:00 AM by: Barb
Birthday of a King
12/10/2016 12:54:00 AM by: Barb
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
12/9/2016 12:46:00 AM by: Barb
Hallelujah Chorus
12/8/2016 12:49:00 AM by: Barb
Joy to the World
12/7/2016 10:16:00 PM by: Barb
Do You Hear What I Hear?
12/6/2016 8:05:00 PM by: Barb
O Little Town of Bethlehem
12/5/2016 8:02:00 PM by: Barb
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
12/4/2016 7:59:00 PM by: Barb
Angels From the Realms of Glory
12/3/2016 7:55:00 PM by: Barb
Silent Night
12/2/2016 7:51:00 PM by: Barb
A Closer Look at the Christmas Carols
12/1/2016 7:47:00 PM by: Barb
When Prayers Take a LONG TIME to be Answered
10/19/2016 10:27:00 PM by: Barb Haley
Anybody Up for a Bit of Transformation?
9/24/2016 12:32:00 AM by: Barb Haley
Diving in the Wind
8/16/2016 by: Barb
Because I Can!
7/12/2016 by: Barb
Baby Steps
6/30/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
No Help From Me
6/12/2016 by: Barb
Day One: Do I Need a Blindfold, Lord?
6/10/2016 by: Barb
Depression? I'd Kick It if I Could
6/9/2016 by: Barb
God Has Our Backs
2/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
The Winner Is...
11/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Sample sections from A Second Wind
11/28/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Has Anyone Heard From the Lord Lately?
9/13/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
The Emotional Strain of Chronic Pain
9/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Why does God test us?
1/29/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Inciting Incident-What?s That?
9/1/2014 by: Barb
Act One?the Ordinary World
8/24/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
8/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Story or Plot?
8/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
True Light
4/15/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Words of Love Last Forever!
7/19/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Alzheimer's-Not the Only Way to Let Go
7/9/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
The Hunger Games
6/26/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
What Would God Say?
6/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Keeping It All Inside
6/3/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
The Rest of the Story
5/29/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Trust and Obey
5/25/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Hidden Dirt
5/22/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
One Layer at a Time
5/17/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb
Welcome!
5/15/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Barb