By HAROLD KELLER

As an active member of a ladies group, my daughter, Ronny, wrote the following article for her church’s bulletin. I pray that it will minister to you as it did to me.

Hearts in Touch

For our 20th anniversary this past November, Michael and I wanted to go on a cruise, but I felt guilty doing something like that when the country had just begun the search for Bin Laden. I didn’t want the soldiers to find out that I was cruising while they were fighting.

So, we went to the Grand Marriott in Point Clear, Ala. It’s a beautiful resort, steeped in age-old Southern hospitality and accented with the necessary modern conveniences, which make luxury suddenly seem normal and even expected. Punctuated with ancient oaks, this coastal resort successfully combines genteel graciousness with the 21st Century amenities, which cater to the fortunate guests.

Yet here, in this wonderful place, construction was in progress. And I guess that’s the word for it – progress. To remain the same is to begin to deteriorate. To remain in neutral gets you nowhere.

A new hotel was being built to add to the existing facility. But the old facilities will remain, too. Not only will they stay; they will not be neglected. Old and new can successfully co-exist.

When I first heard that construction would be under way during our visit, I was so disappointed. I wanted no reminders of the “outside world” during our stay. However, once there, I realized how appropriate it was that we celebrated our 20 years of marriage at a place that was also under construction.

This is the picture I now hold of my marriage. It’s still under construction. The old stuff, the stuff that works, will remain. I’ve got to keep it; keep maintaining it; keep nurturing it. The parts that didn’t work – the false expectatiions, the hurts that I’ve experienced and the ones I’ve inflicted, have got to go. I’ve got to spit them out as quickly as my daughter, Monique, spit out the bad sour cream that was on her baked potato. (Well, maybe I won’t be quite as dramatic as Monique with all that spitting and shrieking and running around the house…) And I will welcome new growth, new ideas, new beginnings – not as intrusions, but as progress, as work necessary to make room for future blessings.

My marriage is under construction, but I can go on and enjoy the good parts and anxiously anticipate our future, our growth, and our progress.

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands, the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1

Praying for wisdom to build,

Ronny Michel”

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.