The Wood Anthology - the beginning

Winston Churchill the great leader and Prime Minister of the British Empire was once asked "what was your greatest accomplishment?" What was the one thing that he considered the greatest single thing that he was able to do with his life? 

Here was his response...

"My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me." Winston Churchill 

Now to some, this statement may be difficult to understand. Some may read it and not recognize just what is the depth of this statement. Allow me to give you my thoughts on this. 26 years ago I persuaded Julie Young to "take a flyer" or "bet on a long shot". For some reason she agreed and the story of David and Julie began. Along the way discoveries were made and truths uncovered, and together the tale was woven into the amazing tapestry of God's truths.

The Wood Anthology - the beginning

Humbly at first, there were two young people who simply believed. Believed in a loving God and a plan that just needed to be walked out. So walk they did. First to London, the land of discovery and the place where their adventure was first challenged. An evening listening to the whispers from the Lord and the crackling of a fire... a school burning to the ground.  

Faith and Faithfulness is forged not simply found.  

Fire is needed and fire we had.

Theirs is an epic tale of trial and challenge, vision and passion. Yes there is passion, but that tale is for other eyes only. But I digress... above all else it is a tale of God's amazing grace extended to a young man and woman. The tale of a kind, patience girl who along with God transforms a young "whipper snapper" into a respected church leader and man of God. 

My working title is, "If she could see me now...my mother-in-law would not believe her eyes." 

Faith is not ever what you see but what God sees.

Oh don't misinterpret this description this indeed is an epic tale. Complete with all the memorable characters from classic literature. There is the thoughtful wise elders guiding the couple on their journey, the family members coming alone side for a time, and the comic relief characters that are added to the troupe to keep the story moving along. Clearly, their influence cannot be under valued for they were the road markers that pointed the way when the road became overgrown or too dark to see. With two ears and one mouth our next discovery was found.

Faith grows only when you listen twice as much as you speak.

As the old maps say "Here... there be dragons". Huge, vicious dragons. Not the ones of modern tales, friendly and wise but those of ancient literature, evil and full of rage. Here the journey dives into the dark times, times of fear and distress; hospitals and surgeries, problems and pain. Dragons rose out of the pit to destroy all but mostly to burn the heart of love and faith that was growing in their hearts. All this is a part of this tale too, all of this exists to purify the faith that has been placed there by God. Each dragon released and designed by God, the author of this tale, for the perfection of the couple. But through it all there is the grace of God and the love of a girl and boy for each other that breaks the greatest obstacle and kills the largest dragon.

Faith must be tested or it will never really be faith at all.

So as I sit and reflect on this epic tale my heart and mind goes back to the statement from Winston Churchill, truly the greatest single accomplishment that I did in my life was to kneel in the snow, open a small box and hear those amazing words...Yes Dave...I will marry you.

Thank you Julie for 26 amazing years, I'm looking forward to the next chapter in this tale. If this blog feels unfinished...that is because, it is...