By Cynthia Atkinson Henderson
Ours has truly been a love story. We were two young adults ready for a mate in the early 1970s and were both praying for one. We lived 150 miles apart and never met, but that wasn’t a problem for God. Once He brought us together, we knew He had answered our prayers. What a Blessing! All who knew us said we were a perfect match. We never doubted it. Would God do anything less when answering the sincere prayers of two dedicated Christians?
Recently a young married lady observed us and said, “There’s nothing I like better than to see an older couple walking together hand in hand.” We hear that often and it always Blesses us. Whenever given an opportunity, we mention our 50thanniversary this coming Valentine’s Day (2024). We don’t mention it to brag, but to let people know that it can be done.
You see, we are best friends. As two retirees, we stay busy but are either at home together, running errands together, going to appointments together or, of course, attending church together. I am so Blessed to hear my favorite pastor every Sunday, my husband John! We just enjoy each other’s company, and I guess the reason is that we have God to arrange our marriage with a God given love for one another that has only grown over the years.
Through those five decades, all these years John and I have been Blessed with good health: no heart attacks, tumors, strokes, blockages, lung or kidney disease, etc. But last October of 2023 John was diagnosed with cancer, the first major health issue we had ever experienced. I had never been so afraid or prayed as much in my life. I could not imagine my life without the Love of my Life. Suddenly my love for John was even deeper than I thought it could be. I tried not to show any fear but rather strength and courage from God and gave John even more hugs to reassure him of my love and support.
After tests, x-rays and an MRI, the specialist finally met with us in November. It seemed forever waiting to meet and get the results. He told us the cancer was a small area and said it was caught early. He spoke to us in a calm, reassuring, and optimistic manner, which really helped . . . and that was such a Blessing! He said John should not need chemo, just 28 days of radiation treatments. So we drove on weekdays to the treatments from November 15 to December 27, a 100-mile round trip. Many were surprised John had no ill effects from the radiation, but we know that it’s another Blessing from God.
We have so many family members and friends who were and are praying. We could feel and witness the results of their prayers. What a Blessing! We thought it would be an exhausting, long-and-drawn-out ordeal, but we made each trip safely. We even had strength and energy and didn’t feel tired when returning home.
Our two sons came at different times to help with some of the driving and anything else requiring attention. Neighbors checked on us and brought food. Then suddenly, the treatments were almost over and we were amazed! Where did the time go? What a Blessing! With that much traveling, we were so thankful to have our nice and dependable car.
Of the 28 trips, only once did the car fail to start, and that was the only day we needed to rush home to an appointment I had. At first, I thought about calling to cancel my appointment, but I had made it several months prior and decided to wait awhile. God knew what was going on. John tried and couldn’t get the car started, so he had to call Roadside Assistance. But instead of having to wait an hour or so on him, he was just around the corner! That had never happened with us before. I just sat back and watched the miracles God was performing for us. The man soon arrived and quickly assessed the problem as a dead battery. And among the ones in his truck, he even had what we needed. It didn’t take him long to install it and we were on our way! The traffic flowed smoothly. We had just enough time for John to drop me off at my appointment with three minutes to spare. What a Blessing!
I am writing this in January of 2024, and even though John completed his radiation treatments last month, his appointment for the treatment results is in April! We have never stopped praying and will continue to, of course.
God graciously provided all our needs: a caring and praying family, friends and neighbors, safety, safe travels, food, inquiries, compassion, strength, energy, endurance, and many Blessings I am failing to mention. So, throughout all our lives and everything written above, including 50 years of marriage, we sometimes just sit and talk about how thankful we are and, as the hymn goes, we “Count Our Many Blessings”.
What a great write-up! I’ve always been proud to have parents who have always been incredibly in love with each other, going on 50 years strong! Thank y’all for sharing your many loving blessings.