This Poor Man Cried…

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.” (Psalms 34:4-7 NASB)

Today marks the twenty-sixth year of the day I committed all my earthly affections to Teresa Renee Culberth. I have never taken that commitment lightly. The reality of twenty-six years from the vantage point of a twenty year old young man could never comprehend the sober reality of what things this young couple would face in the coming years.

The Lord has been kind to this man I look at in the picture. This man deserves nothing but the full force of the righteous wrath of God. Yet, the Lord established a covenant, sealed it with His own blood, and took the punishment for them both, rescuing them from certain destruction.

In my undeserving spiritual condition, I live with great joy. In my complete inability to do anything to please the Lord unless the Lord saves me, I live with great joy. In all ways I am fully deserving of being left and abandoned, yet I live in great joy.

From the vantage point of the forty-six year old man looking at that same man in the picture, I say I want to live out the remainder of my days…

• being more Kind with my words to my most treasured.
• being more patient with my actions.
• being more careful with my emotions.
• being more aware of needs.
• being more careful with how I react.
• being filled with joy by serving.

I want to learn from that 20 year-old young man. I want to learn from his mistakes. I want to take notes from him and be reminded of how important it was to him to marry this woman.

• I want to laugh more.
• I want to cry more.
• I want to speak more when I want to speak less.
• I want to speak less when I want to speak more.
• I want to walk more at sunrise and sunset.
• I want to think more.
• I want to consider more.
• I want to protect more.
• I want to open more doors.
• I want to pull out more chairs.
• I want to hold hands more.
• I want to listen more.
• I want to learn more.
• I want to care more.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.