Monday July 25 2016  GREAT SATISFACTION 

Just wondering if any of you reading this blog remember the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar from a few decades ago?  Years ago at one motivational event I attended, he was one of the presenters.  He seemed ancient to me, but once I could get past listening to his voice inflections, which were spoken with a VERY southern drawl, I realized that what he said was insightful, powerful, and something every married couple should know.

Somehow I recently ended up with a spanking new, unopened packet of Zig Ziglar CD’s about marriage.  It was in a pile of odds and ends I was selling at my garage sale.  So to speak, I bought it back from myself.  I tucked the packet into my car so I could listen to the CD’s as I traveled.  Well, as I listened, though still had to get past the drawl and graveling voice, I had a big smile plastered on my face the entire time.  The way he talked, the words he used, the stories he shared were inspiring.  Again, words that every couple should listen to together.  He was a man with high ideals who daily chose the righteous road, was true to his wife, and from his stories, she was true to him.

The old breed is dying off.  The world is a different place than it was 30 and 40 years ago.  There aren’t many people who place their trust in fidelity and purity when entering a marriage relationship.  It is sad for me to really take a look at what is happening in the world, both in the secular world as well as those who identify themselves as Christians.  Divorce rates are high, and it seems that blended families are more the “normal” than it is for original couples being together.  I first noticed this when I was photographing extended families at weddings.  I often had to photograph four separate family groupings so each of the bride and groom’s parents would not have their divorced spouse in their new, blended family portrait.  Of course the bride and groom needed to pose in ALL THE BLENDED FAMILY SITTINGS.

After listening to the CD’s today on the way to the gym it brought back a very vivid memory to me from 43 years ago.  I remember pledging in my heart that I would never be unfaithful to my husband and I believed the same about Dave.  As I walked down the long aisle to meet my groom I remember praying that God would allow me to grow old with this man I was marrying today.  As time passed, our years together increased, and that thought from so long ago would echo in my memory.  I continually thanked God that we were both still alive and together, because that long ago prayer still lived in my heart.  Growing old has its drawbacks as far our bodies are concerned, but it never has its drawbacks in regards to growing old with my husband.  I do not fear death; rather my greater concern is being the mate who is left behind.  Each anniversary only increases my love for my husband.  Sometimes I wonder in amazement how it was, that God was so good in providing such a man for me, because I certainly did not feel worthy. 

When I look back to the day I listened in person to Mr. Ziglar, I realize now that he was not as old then, as Dave and I are now.  And I thought he was so old!  Somehow old age has become younger and younger.  When I realized the age discrepancy of my memory, verses reality, I now comprehend that I have realized my wedding march dream…I HAVE GROWN OLD WITH THE MAN I LOVE!  And my heart smiles.  And in my heart I whisper a prayer of gratitude to God, and then I whisper a little prayer of hope, that we will have just a little while longer.

 

JUST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER

By Kathleen Martens

July 25, 2016

 

My dream is fulfilled

And in my heart I know,

I have reached my destination

That came quickly, not slow.

 

The man of my dreams

Is still by my side,

And in each other’s hearts

Our love still abides.

 

Lord, just awhile longer

Allow us to be

In each other’s presence,

Bound together, yet free.

 

Old is always older

Than the age we are now,

How the years passed so swiftly,

We just don’t know how?

 

And thank You Heavenly Father

Though I deserved him not,

The perfect man for me

To my side You brought.

 

I thank You for allowing me

To know the treasure of true love,

And that love comes from You

As we journey to heaven above.

 

Thank You for the blessing

That we are a family intact.

We take not for granted

This wonderful fact!

 

After writing the above I looked up Zig Ziglar’s biography online.  Though I haven’t read all of it due to time, I will go back at a later date and read it.  I have included a bit of his statistics below.  

http://www.zigziglarstory.com/zigs-story-part-1    

Hilary Hinton “Zig” Ziglar was an American author, salesman, and motivational speaker. Wikipedia

Born: November 6, 1926, Coffee County, Alabama, AL

Died: November 28, 2012, Plano, TX

Spouse: Jean Ziglar (m. 1946–2012)

 

Quote from Zig Ziglar:

“IF YOU TREAT YOUR WIFE LIKE A THOROUGHBRED, YOU’LL NEVER END UP WITH A NAG.”  Zig Ziglar
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/z/zig_ziglar.html

 

THANK YOU GOD FOR MY HUSBAND.

THANK YOU THAT MY HUSBAND HAS ALWAYS TREATED ME LIKE A THOROUGHBRED, EVEN WHEN I ACTED LIKE A MULE!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!