Tag Archive | love

A Short Story… from FaceBook

Jun28

I posted this picture on FaceBook earlier this month as my profile picture along with a rather long caption. I called it “A Short Story…”

Yes, I know it’s rather odd to have such a long post on FaceBook, and I’m fairly certain most of my friends didn’t even read it before they clicked like. My guess is they just liked the picture and kept on scrolling. But for those who took the time to actually read it, they left some very encouraging comments and thanked me for sharing my story. So I decided to copy my FaceBook post to my blog since this is where my storytelling actually belongs.

Below this 1993 picture of my husband William and I, you will find my actual short story post from Facebook, copied exactly as written. I’ll explain the details after the end of the story.

A Short Story…

This pic is from 1993. Ten years prior to that, William had a near fatal head injury, an epidural hematoma (bleeding around the brain) requiring emergency surgery to save his life. The neurosurgeon had to do a craniotomy where he opened up part of William’s skull to remove the hematoma that reduced the pressure on his brain. By the way, that was May 17, 1983, a few days before high school graduation. William and I weren’t even talking to each other at the time. We had broken up like many teenagers do in high school…. On again, off again… we just couldn’t get it right, so we were going our separate ways forever after high school.

BUT THEN THIS HAPPENED! God has a way of getting our attention, doesn’t he? I had no idea he had even been injured. My brother Dennis was home from California and heard about it before I did. He just causally asked one evening at home “Did y’all hear about that Collier boy who got hit upside the head?”

TIME STOPPED! MY HEART DROPPED! Somebody please help me… The rest is a blur. Fast forward a bit, and there I am walking down that long hallway all by myself to that scary neurotrauma ICU where I see many Colliers standing at his bedside. (Remember, we were NOT a couple at this time. It was way over for us.) They saw me walk in, and EVERYBODY left. I don’t recall any words spoken. 

There he lay with my shattered heart scattered in thousands of pieces all over his ICU bed. How could it come to this? I don’t recall much of anything from that first visit except that he appeared lifeless, his beautiful brown eyes almost swollen shut, and that gauze dressing wrapped around his head like a turban. His head was huge, machines were everywhere, and I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to speak or even recognize me. Or if he did recognize me, would he want me to stay? After all, I had broken his heart in high school.

Well, I can’t tell you what happened next because I don’t remember. To this very day, I still get a headache when I think about it. Of course he doesn’t remember because he was recovering from brain surgery after almost losing his life. 

All I know is this. Surgery was over. He was recovering. We were beginning.

Our true love affair began at Methodist Hospital as he continued to improve over the next few days. He went home 12 days after surgery. Our high school romance, as shaky as it was, just didn’t matter anymore. We had fallen in love in 9th grade. We fell in love again at Methodist Hospital. And yes, I do remember some of those conversations, unlike the first one in ICU. Suffice it to say, many tears were shed. 

God saved William’s life that night for me. So when I say I just love that man sooooo much, and he is the absolute love of my life, now you know why. 

Ok, getting back to this pic. This was 1993, 10 years after our life changing experience right before high school graduation. By now we had been married 7 years and were expecting our first little bundle of joy. (I’m pregnant with Jordan on this pic… lol) So when I see pictures like this, sometimes it brings back all sorts of memories for me. This one opened the floodgates! I like looking back and reflecting on where we began, what we’ve endured, and where we are now. There are trials and tribulations in all marriages, and ours certainly isn’t exempt. But this one thing I do know. When I look into those beautiful eyes, I can still remember 1983 and what it felt like when I thought it was the possibility that I would have to live my life without William. I know there is an ear-to-ear scar all the way across William’s scalp that no one can see underneath his hair, but I can feel it. It’s an ever-present reminder of God’s grace and mercy. I can also feel the lifetime of love that we’ve shared. And even though Jordan wasn’t born yet, when I look at this picture, I know he’s there inside me. That’s where love begins – inside. Jordan will be 25 next week. William and I will celebrate our 33rd anniversary in August. All I can say is #ThankYouLord!

So yeah, I actually wrote all that on FaceBook as the caption when I updated my profile picture. That’s why I prefer FaceBook over Twitter and Instagram. I haven’t mastered the craft of brevity yet. My friends know I tend to be long-winded once I get started, and my posts often go on much longer than most people’s attention span. But that doesn’t stop me. I continue writing anyway hoping that someone will read what I have to say and get something out of it. That’s really my reason for copying this post to my blog. I hope when you read this, you will get something out of it too.

We all have stories to share to help inspire and encourage others. Think about your own life. I’m pretty sure you have many stories to tell. What has God done in your life where you have absolutely no doubt it had to be a blessing from him? Many times he blesses us beyond measure without us even asking. He knows us just that well.

As for that little bundle of joy hiding inside me at the time this picture was taken, he’s now 25 years old. This is our precious little firstborn, Jordan William Collier. He’s getting married next year and is well on his way to becoming the man God created him to be. I encourage all of you parents to continue praying for your children. There is greatness inside all of them.

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.

Psalms 127:3 (NLT version)

I would love to hear from you guys. What stories do you have to share that will encourage someone else? After all, we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others. Thank you for living inside this testimony with me. God has certainly been way too good to me, so I’ve got to tell it!

Are You Living Inside a Testimony in Your Marriage?

Mar4

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview this lovely couple for my web talk radio show 7 years ago when they had been married only 8 months. They’ve been married almost 8 years now and thanks to a Facebook memory post, I was inspired to blog about them today. I only did the talk show for 6 months due to lack of time and other obligations, but I learned a great deal producing those 12 shows (2 per month.) There is so much to learn when we take time to reflect on our past and how all the pieces come together to make us who we are today. Just as I realized when I was writing what I thought would be my first and only book, it’s amazing to see how God so perfectly orchestrates our lives and prepares us for what is to come. All we have to do is acknowledge him, and he will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

First, let’s flash back to 2011 when I interviewed DeShun and Kyanna Beard. You can listen to the entire interview here: “Love and Marriage: Is It a Fairy Tale?”

The Fairy Tale Wedding – Is it possible to really live happily ever after? When you listen to their interview, you’ll discover that we don’t really live inside fairy tales, but we do all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others. Their beautiful love story will inspire you to discover your own great love, and with God’s blessings, you can live happily ever after.

I haven’t listened to that episode from my talk show in 7 years, and I must say it was good to hear it again. Did you listen? If not, here’s the link again. Just click here… I really want you to hear this.

We can’t all be like Cinderella and find our very own Prince Charming, but I choose to believe in the sanctity of marriage and what it stands for. Cinderella is simply a fairytale. However, we can all live happily ever after with God’s blessings. Hopefully DeShun and Kyanna’s love story will inspire you to view your own marriage differently, perhaps view your spouse from a different perspective and treat them as if you are living inside a fairytale pursuing your own happily ever after. Marriage requires work, but it’s well worth the effort in order to enjoy the blessings that can only be found when you truly view your marriage the way God intended for it to be.

My goal is not to repeat what you heard on the podcast, but rather to encourage you to listen for yourself at how the interview unfolded. It’s such a sweet story, one that will truly bless you if you are one who thought true love just doesn’t exist these days. I’m here to tell you it certainly does!

The happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. DeShun Beard, along with DeShun’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Beard. You will hear my very special guest on the radio broadcast, DeShun’s mother, Greta Beard (far left) share an emotional and touching story. This is the mother-in-law all future brides would love to have!

When this interview first aired in February 2011, I also shared it on my Facebook page along with these pictures and captions to serve as visual aids when listening to the interview. I’m sharing them here with you now, along with the original captions to fully engulf you in this experience. Here’s the other 3 pictures to go along with this beautiful little story.

The wedding party at the Fairy Tale Wedding on DeShun’s parents’ estate. The Scriptures teach us that the marriage Union and relationship was inspired by God, instituted by God, is preserved by God, and can rightly be dissolved only by God. So God created man in his own image . . . ; [one] male and [one] female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9). Any two persons entering into the marriage union should realize that marriage is an institution of God and that the One who designed and authorized marriage has the authority to determine the standards of marriage.

 

I Corinthians 13 – THE LOVE CHAPTER. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”… The wedding rings: The ring could be the oldest and most universal symbol of marriage. There are many accounts of the meanings behind the use of wedding rings but the actual origins are unclear. The ring’s circular shape represents perfection and never-ending love. The early Christian church gave religious meaning to the ring by making it part of the wedding ceremony. “With this ring I thee wed, and this gold and silver I thee give, and with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly chatels I thee endow.” The thumb and first two fingers of the hand were to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the fourth finger stood for the earthly love of man to woman.

 

The newlyweds began their wedded bliss as husband and wife while celebrating on their honeymoon cruise. Congratulations DeShun and Kyanna. May God forever bless you and your marriage! Your beautiful love story will bless all that hear it. Thank you for living inside the testimony with me!

Marriage really can strengthen your relationship with God and increase your faith in Him. Jesus will walk hand-and-hand by your side along with your spouse. All you have to do is make room and let him in.

DeShun’s advice: Put the Lord first in your relationship with your significant other.

Kyanna’s advice: Things may happen, but we know joy comes in the morning light… Know that God is always there.

As I said at the end of the talk show, a happy marriage requires work and commitment. I look at my husband as the man the Lord blessed me with, and it’s up to us to make it work. In our hearts we know without a doubt, we were meant to be together. I hope when you look at your own marriage, you can see it for what it really is. Don’t fantasize about anyone else’s relationship; just concentrate on the one that you’re in. Make it what you want it to be. Be committed to making it work, and it simply has to work. Make your marriage a great love story. After all, Walt Disney had to create Cinderella. You can create your own beautiful love story!

So once again, thank you DeShun and Kyanna Beard for sharing your beautiful story with us 7 years ago and again today. Thank you Greta Beard for being my very special guest on the program that day.

As a special treat, I asked Kyanna for an updated picture of her family now. Not only are she and DeShun still happily married after almost 8 years, they have also welcomed 2 precious little baby girls into their family. If you heard this story in 2011, just take a look at how the Lord has blessed this family since then.

Love and Marriage: Is It a Fairytale? Not at all. However, just look at what the Lord has done in DeShun and Kyanna’s lives. With God’s blessings, you really can live happily ever after. (From left to right: Kyanna, Harlow, Harper, and DeShun Beard)

Besides being inspired to blog about this sweet couple after the Facebook memory popped up today, I was also inspired to create a contest of my own. Like I said in the interview, I entered a “Greatest Love Story in the World” contest several years ago. Although William and I didn’t win, I still love our story and am happy to share it every chance I get. This is what I actually entered for the contest.

* * * * * Now I’m giving you an opportunity to win $100 in my Living Inside the Testimony – Greatest Love Story Contest!

Contest Rules:

  1. Let’s keep this simple without a lot of written rules, legalities, and disclaimers. My desire is to make this sweet and easy.
  2. Write one page to explain why you think your love story is the greatest love story in the world.
  3. You must be a married couple to enter as I am trying to promote the sanctity of marriage as described in the bible between a man and woman.
  4. Email your entry along with a picture of you and your spouse to me at livinginsidethetestimony@yahoo.com.
  5. I will read all entries and select one grand prize winner to receive $100 (Visa gift card or PayPal)
  6. Deadline to submit your entry is April 15, 2018.
  7. Winner will be announced no later than April 30, 2018.
  8. If you submit an entry, you are giving me permission to post your written entry and picture on my social media and website.
  9. If you have any questions, please ask. You can leave comments/questions here on my blog, on my Facebook page, or email me at livinginsidethetestimony@yahoo.com.
  10. I am the only judge for this contest, and my decision will be final. I will judge honestly and select what I feel is the best example of living inside the testimony in your own marriage and what makes it the greatest love story. Thank you for your participation and understanding!

 

 

 

Love Never Fails

Feb13

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but I don’t have to remind you of that. Society and retailers have taken care of that ever since they took down Christmas decorations and replaced then with tons of Valentines. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been married 28 years to the absolute love of my life, and we will be celebrating our wonderfully and enormously blessed love for each other on February 14 just like everyone else who has a special someone to share that day. We don’t take that blessing lightly!

However, I’d like to take just a couple of minutes of your time to reflect on true love, love that never fails. We know the 13th chapter of I Corinthians is considered the Love Chapter, and here’s the reason why as explained in verses 4-8 of the New International Version: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Yes, LOVE NEVER FAILS. So in this month of love, I’d like to leave you with 28 reminders of true love. If I had planned this better, it would have been delivered to your inbox on January 31 so that you could read one verse each day during the month of February. But alas, as they say, hindsight is always 20/20. Reality is this thought didn’t come to my mind until today. I have been enlightened and inspired by a fellow author who already found these 28 wonderful bible verses to encourage your hearts (pun intended).

God says you are...

God says that you are all of these 28 glorious descriptions. Now that’s TRUE LOVE!

I can attribute this lovely picture to www.JenniferDukesLee.com. I saw it on her website with the following quote: “Do you know what a treasure you are? Do you know how deeply loved you are? Maybe you’re like me, in need of a fresh reminder that you were created on purpose, for a glorious purpose, in the name of love. Your Savior loved you to life, even through His own death. He is your ultimate …”

So with that being said, Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy the true love verses and know that God says that you are all of these 28 glorious descriptions.