26 YEARS AGO TODAY

Twenty six years ago today me and Janet stood at an altar in Dayton, TN and were married...

Twenty six years ago... A lot has changed over the last 26 years... That's more than a quarter of a century for crying out loud!

God has blessed us with three amazing girls. Our oldest will soon turn 21 (July 28). Our middle daughter recently turned 17 (March 31). Our youngest is 9 (April 11).

We've had the privilege to serve four churches: Cathedral of Praise - (it wasn't really a Cathedral), Metro Church, Maranatha Church and now, a2 Church...

We've experienced a little success.. We've experienced our fair share of failure...

I'm 44 years old... She's... (Do you think I'm crazy...) She's 29! That's how old she is...

Other than my relationship with Jesus, the best thing about my life is the girl he placed in my life more than 30 years ago... We've known each other since I was 10 and she was 8... She's really the only girl I've ever dated... She is, without a doubt, my best and closest friend... I can't imagine life without her by my side...

When I sensed that God was leading us to "start over" - to take a risk and plant a church in my mid-40's, she believed and continues to believe that God has a purpose and a plan... She buys into the dream that is "a2."

She's incredibly gifted. (I love to hear the girl sing...) Somehow she combines amazing giftedness with authentic humility... She has the heart of a servant and a worshiper...

She loves to laugh... Her smile still blows me away!

She is God's best gift to me...

Here's the truth: I don't deserve her... Never have Never will.

Our 26 years together is all GRACE - GOD'S GRACE poured out on a totally undeserving guy like me...

We married young. I was 18. She was... Come on, now, you don't think I'm going to blow it so you can do the math? She was...in elementary school...

There's no reason we should have made it for 26 years... I was young, dumb and ugly... She was young, smart and beautiful...

The only reason we're still together? GRACE! GOD has poured out his grace on our marriage...

So, today, I am thankful... I'm thankful that Janet is blind in one eye... (I'm not kidding... She really is...) That's probably why she even dated a guy like me... She couldn't see straight...

I'm thankful that Janet said, "Yes."

I'm thankful that she continues to say, "Yes."

I'm thankful that God continues to give grace we don't deserve...

I'm thankful for our amazing kids...

I'm thankful for every second I have with this amazing woman I get to call my wife...

I'm thankful for 26 years...