On my 25th wedding anniversary yesterday, the word that stood out to me was shalom – the Hebrew word associated with peace and wholeness. We felt God’s shalom through our love and the love of the community.

While a popular cultural sentiment is “us against the world,” that has not been the story of our marriage. Our 25-year romance has been connected to community, as the love of our family, friends, and faith communities have made our story. Sure, there have been many times that Beth and I have retreated as two to heal from hurt or find direction as a couple, and this special relationship did make us feel like “us against the world.” Still, we have always stayed connected with our family and church, and these relationships have made us and sustained us. So, our marriage is a celebration of God’s design for marriage and a recognition of all the relationships connected to a long-term marriage. I write this not out of pride but of absolute gratitude for God’s grace. Every long-term marriage is a miracle.

I want to honor Beth for believing in marriage, believing in us, and believing in me. I love her more every day, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use her in the years to come. I also look forward to many laughs in our future!

We recognized another saint going home today during the funeral of the amazing Tammy Groves. I have not attended the same church with Tammy for over 16 years, but she impacted Beth and me as an incredible co-worker in youth ministry. In one of my most stressful times of ministry, she lifted my arms.

I mourn with Jeff, Daniel, Alivia, and the spiritual families from Cornerstone Church and Restoring Hope Church. She has heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

https://www.wilkinsonwiseman.com/obituary/tammy-groves

We were fortunate to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday night when we took this picture. We had a great night!

A year ago, we had a peaceful Valentine’s dinner, not realizing 2020 would be the most challenging year of leadership our generation has ever known.

I could get through the last 12 months because SHE HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME. The song I chose for our wedding was James Taylor’s “Something In the Way She Moves.” The lyrics state:

I feel fine anytime she’s around me now
She’s around me now
Almost all the time

That song is a reality all these years later, and I am grateful.

I LOVE YOU, Beth, and I am so glad YOU ARE MINE. Happy Valentine’s forever!

I want to honor Pastor Randy Visconti, whose Celebration of Life service occurred today in Mesa, Arizona. He was the first pastor to give me a job, as I was his children’s pastor at Paola Assembly of God (Paola, Kansas) in 1995 and 1996. Randy was a great pastor, and he was very good to me. He gave me opportunities to preach often to the adults, which launched my ministry career. Under his and Jason Edward’s leadership, it was the first time I was called “pastor.” He always made time for me.

Two regrets:

• I haven’t talked to Randy in years, but I always knew that relationship would pick right back up at some point. His unexpected death came as a shock and way too soon. So, don’t wait around to keep in contact with someone important to you.

• We didn’t take a lot of pictures in the 1990s like we do these days. Regretfully, I do not have a photo with Pastor Randy. So, don’t bristle when someone wants to take your picture (Beth has been telling me this for years!).

I want to express much love to his wife, Dawn, and adult children Ryan, Kyle, Kirstyn, and Aaron.

See you in heaven, Pastor Randy!

Happy 17th birthday to my youngest son, Lincoln. I like everything about this guy!