Editors Pen

The One I Have Beside Me
By Jane Phinney

This year, Steve and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. From the inception of our union in 1977, to this present day, I have consistently and repeatedly been asked the same question. "What's it like to be married to him?" In the early stages of our relationship, I was asked this because of Steve's sense of humor. Steve's zest for life was sometimes a little "over the top" and often misinterpreted. (We always say he helped free me up and I helped tone him down) But now, with a maturity that comes from God fine-tuning his love for people, it is asked more as a response to his teaching, preaching, or discipleship. My answer hasn't changed since the beginning. "Well, let me tell you, it's certainly NOT boring!" Please don't get me wrong. Our 25 years in the ministry "fishbowl" has not been without our share of growing pains, failures, uncertainties, disappointments, rejection, and some serious losses. But there has also been a lot of forgiveness, fun, laughter, and precious memories. And we have remained united and on the same team, so to speak, both desperately aware of our daily need for our Savior, just to survive. This side of heaven, we will always be a work in progress.

In June, I wrote this poem as part of my anniversary card to Steve . As I penned these words, celebrating my honey, I also realized I was celebrating God's faithfulness and love toward us. My prayer is that your heart would be blessed and that you would be encouraged to really believe God's best for your life, your marriage, and your family.

The One I Have Beside Me
The one I have beside me is the one I love
A gift from my Creator, sent from heaven above
The one I have beside me, causes my heart to soar
The many storms we've weathered, has birthed our love the more
The one I have beside me, thirty years as one
A reflection of His glory, the image of His Son
The one I have beside me, my loving, loyal friend
Ever true and constant, my heartbeat to the end
The one I have beside me, no one else can take his place
He is the one I want beside me, till we behold our Savior's face

Jane Phinney
Anniversary—June 24, 2007