God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! ... The LORD Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-7 NLT)

On a spring night in Central Texas, a craving for a sweet indulgence drove the two of them to the local Dairy Queen. He with a chocolate shake, she with a "Peanut Buster Parfait," they drove to the local softball complex where he sometimes played softball for the church team and she would sit with other ladies and cheer him on.

There was no softball game that night and the park was perfectly empty, save the two of them. They were there because it was a wonderful vantage point to see the oncoming storm. She had grown up with thunderstorms as a lullaby and he knew of her love of watching a storm. They sat in the car and ate their ice creams and talked about what the future may hold for them as the lightning danced across the skies and the thunder answered in reply. They dreamed of places they would like to live and jobs they would like to have. They dreamed of children they may one day have and what they may be like.

Their love was so very young — untested by time or trials. She knew she had no idea what God may put in their path, but she knew He would be there to carry them through it. She also knew without a doubt that God had sent her this man until "death do they part" and she couldn't imagine loving him any more than she did that minute.

Recently, the universe aligned so that two incredibly rare events happened at the same time: Troy and I had a date and Abilene got a thunder storm. As we drove around the loop of Abilene holding hands and watching the lightning — without having to answer questions like "Does it lightning on Jupiter?" — I was transported back to that evening 12 years ago when we drove to the Lions Park softball field in Temple, Texas, to watch the lightning and dream.

I thought of all that has happened in those 12 years and the different people that we have become. On the outside, we're wearing larger clothes, and have more gray hair and wrinkles — but I pay good money so that you can't see my gray hairs! :) — and we have been through the deliveries, potty training, first days of school, and team sports of our children. We have been to too many funerals. We have lived through and rebuilt after natural disasters as well as spiritual disasters. We've experienced bounced checks, late fees and overdraft notices, as well as untold financial blessing. We have gone from having "his friends" and "my friends" to being part of church families that bring whole families as friends for us all. We have gone through valleys when we clung to each other, as well as valleys that we had to get through alone.

I still know, without a doubt!

I still know, without a doubt, that Troy is precisely the man God would have me go through life with. Mainly because Troy has learned, like I have, that God is the most important One to go through life with. I look back and I do see hurts and heartaches, but even those are buried in my memory under mountains of blessings.

Together we can sing "Still" by Reuben Morgan:

When the oceans rise and thunders roar,
I will soar with you above the storm.
Father, you are king over the flood.
I will be still and know you are God.

Two Hearts Praying as One by Dennis and Barbara Rainey "Praying together may be the single most important spiritual discipline you and your spouse will ever share," say the Raineys--it reduces conflicts and safeguards marriages from divorce.

Sarah (Riley) Stirman graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in Elementary/ Special Education. She currently lives in Abilene, Texas with her husband, Troy, who works for Abilene Christian University. Troy and Sarah have been married 13 years and have 2 children: Ashley, 10, and Riley, 8. Sarah works part-time for Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Texas.

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