Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
In Week 46 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for us being kept and blessed for 24 Years.
Earlier this week, my bride and I celebrated our 24 year anniversary with a road trip. Before we left, we prayed—inviting God to be part of it—and He was, marvelously.
Before the trip, I bought a card game called "Partners Are Humans" (from Parents Are Human). I sometimes struggle to express what’s in my heart for this person most dear to me—not only in what I say, but in the questions I ask. I bought it looking for help to ask questions that prompt more intentional and meaningful conversation.
And, that it did.
We played the game as a road trip activity and pulled this question:
“What’s something that feels special about our relationship?”
"Perseverance. Persistence."
That was my answer.
There is so much we've had to overcome to be here—great difficulty, long seasons of darkness, trauma, doubts, fears, our pasts, ourselves…
But God.
We're still here. Standing. Against all odds.
We know that God is our staying power—and work. As with all things, the work is believing in Him whom God sent—Jesus Christ.
Faith and works.
Over the course of three days, the Lord brought to remembrance His hand in our journey in the past 24 years—starting with a route I neither foresaw nor would have chosen for our trip: the Natchez Trace.
OMG it was so slow. 😭
But slowing me down was exactly what we needed.
We talked for a while, sang along with some of our favorite music together, talked again—repeat. We couldn’t have done that had I been preoccupied with switching lanes. The slower pace gave us time to be present and take in the beauty He created.
Our entire trip was wonderful, filled with what seemed like little nods from God all along the way. Our accommodations were upgraded without notice. We kept ending up at the right place at the perfect time. We rapped together. We danced together. Our meals together were heavenly. It even snowed! (Melissa loves snow.) We stumbled into joy, but God was ordering our steps the entire time.
It is worth noting that He did it after I let go of my plans.
The trip culminated with us making friends with another couple who we exchanged numbers with and who we've since prayed with—another nod to God's call on our lives.
I've come away from this trip feeling very happy to have shared this journey with my friend and wife. But even when I'm not happy, by God's grace, we will do the work of believing the One who has kept us and blessed us, in that order, for 24 years.
He has done this, not we ourselves—and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Happy Anniversary, Melissa Luckett. I love you.
I'm grateful.
#52WoG #marriage #PerfectOurLove