That incredible Friday, June 26, 1981, I left the church as Mrs. Rodney Alan Phillips! I could not wait for the evening of becoming “Mr. & Mrs.” and now it was a reality. The ceremony was superb from the singing to the reading of 1 Corinthians 13, The Love Chapter! With the reciting of our vows thrown in, I just knew our love could survive through whatever came our way. I was 18 and he was 21, and the thought of making a home “free from disturbances” filled me with so much hope. And 1 Corinthians 13 solidified my desire for being on the receiving end of that type of sacrificial love. I fancied keeping the home while “Mr.” brought the ultimate sacrifice of warming it with that illuminating adoration.

Shortly after leaving the church that night, we drove into the bay of a car wash in Kinder, Louisiana. Artistically decorated with numerous cans of shaving cream, our vehicle needed a quick shower. After washing the white foam from our long Buick Electra luxury car, (my dad had graciously gifted us with) we drove out of the stall making contact with the pavement.  With a thunderous roar now escaping through the muffler, a “free from disturbances” experience was not going to happen anytime soon, especially with Alabama being our final destination. It also wasn’t long before realizing our muffler was not the only noise we were hearing. Our stomachs were empty and in need of food. So, with a roaring muffler and growling stomachs, we cruised into the first place we saw: Sonic!

How we choose to handle the mishaps of life say much about our character. This was just the beginning for us.

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.”

Proverbs 27:19, NASB95

In my self-centered reality, surviving what came our way always seemed unfair.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:11, NLT

I did not know what lie ahead for us and many years would be given to learning where “free from disturbance” living truly is found! How thankful I am that God never gives up on us!

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:7

God is love; love comes from God (1 John 4:7-11).