In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing one of Joanne and my favorite quotations about friendship:
“Oh, the comfort — the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person — having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.” Dinah Craik (1826 – 1887) English novelist and poet.
I hope you have relationships like that to give you strength for the things you want to accomplish in life.
Dan, it is a blessing to have someone in our lives with whom we can feel completely safe with. Investing in those relationships will pay immeasurable dividends in life. Thanks for sharing this quote.
Awesome quote. I’m blessed to have married my high school sweet heart!
Dan,
Thanks for sharing not only the great quote, but the wonderful picture! I am blessed beyond belief to be married to my best friend (will be married 20 years this month on leap day). He definitely gives me strength in accomplishing things in life and I am so darn proud of who he is as a dad and husband…he makes our family strong and whole.
Happy Valetine’s day to you and Joanne!
Jen
Hello Dan & Joanne:
And Happy belated Valentine’s Day! I’m trusting you two enjoyed one another!
This message does have purpose (I’m not just venting, I promise)
I’m writing to say thanks and also to encourage people who don’t have the kind of unconditional love that couples like Dan & Joanne have.
My mom and dad had a great marriage, mainly because they agreed before their nuptials in the early 1940’s that they would always remain friends, within their devotion to their marriage, and that divorce would never be an option. Now, they forgot that promise at times, and my younger sister and I are burdened with the scars from that, but they always did make peace with each other. IE, they were devoted to each other and us.
Since my dad died in ’96, however, we’ve had some struggles within our family, and if I’ve learned anything worth keeping it’s this:
We really can ONLY trust God (the ultimate Gentleman) and His word. Now, I’m not here to convert or preach, nor am I a fundamentalist. Christian, yes. I’m just a ragamuffin, saved, sanctified, and delivered by what our Savior accomplished on the cross. His last three words were “It is finished.”
Recently I actually put God and His promises to the test by admitting that I’m really angry with my heavenly Father (think that was easy? Think again…) and I threw a temper tantrum (not like a child does, but in my soul while in prayer) to just get it out!
God can handle our being angry, but we can’t, and He knows that! Yeah! We’ve got a Savior for that! And he’s the best friend anyone could have!
So, the lesson: the love that comes when we’re honest and willing to be God’s friend? He lets us do that.
There’s a song that brings comfort. Maybe someone will do a YouTube presentation with this oldie but goody?
Think about His love
Think about His goodness
Think about His grace
That brought us through!
For as high as the heaven above
So great is the wonder of our Father’s love
Great is the wonder of our Father’s love!
Oh, and to top it off? I’ve found a new rest in my Lord!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Dan! I can’t believe you quoted this poem- it’s been one of my favorites for 25+ years. And yes, what a blessing to have relationships like that!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your website and newsletters. Thanks so much!
McLauren – thanks for your note. Delighted to hear you’re a fan of that great poem as well. It’s been a guiding principle for Joanne and me for many years.
Recently heard: A true friend is someone who is always glad to see you and has no immediate plans for your improvement.
Dan,
Weird, but I found the same quote a few years back and read it to my wife on our anniversary. I barely made it through the reading because I found it so powerful!
Thanks for sharing.
Johnny
That is the kind of relationship I had with my husband of 14 years, who died suddenly of a heart attack back in September. I miss that so much!!! If you have it, be very, very grateful!
I love this picture of the two of you! It’s beautiful!
Thanks Marti. We’ve been taking more pictures as we’re spending a week down in Belize. Lots of sun and fun.
great quote and great picture Dan! Happy valentines day.
Zechariah – thanks so much.
Enjoy Belize Dan!
Kimanzi – we intend to. The gals are counting the hours.