But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.  So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.  – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, TPT

This month, it will be 50 years since I graduated from high school. To celebrate this auspicious event, my high school classmates are planning to hold our 50^th class reunion in August.  

That was a fast 50 years! For sure, it is hard for me to believe that 50 years ago this month I graduated from the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial High School, which is still located on the same street corners in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Next month, I also will experience another momentous occasion – one that is even harder for me to wrap my head around.  Nevertheless, on July 16, I will be acknowledging that my marriage legally ended 21 years ago. However, what will be even harder for some of my family and friends to believe is that I am still single – never married nor wanted to marry another man. Now, while at times, thinking about my single status often has made me feel lonely and unloved, whenever that happened Christ via His Holy Spirit was right there to remind me that I am married to the most loving Man who ever lived – Jesus Christ.

Without a doubt, Christ loves me.  Most definitely, I love Him, too. That is why, for me, staying strong and loyal to my Lord is my only option. No matter whatever weaknesses I may have or whatever troubles, persecutions, mistreatments, or sorrows that may come my way, I can rest assured that Christ, my spiritual Husband, won’t ever betray me or forsake me. 

I was reminded this morning about how I can always count on this above-mentioned Divine Truth, and then I was led to compose the following poem:

  Got to Stay Strong
  
  
 Though one of four living children
 Mom had, I was always on my own,
 Forced to walk tall and stand strong
 Years before I was legally grown.
  
 Neither college nor military changed
 A thing for me, though one of many
 People traveling on these same roads
 I recall who had my back – not any. 
  
 Marriage started out on right track 
 But over time never made two one;
 I was left alone in loneliness often
 Divorce undid what love had done.
  
 Only time my life ever made sense
 Was when Christ showed me Love
 Minute by minute, hour by hour 
 And day by day via a Holy Dove.
  
 Christ’s Love for me grew stronger
 And bathed me in such Tenderness 
 Even through my wilderness journey 
 I knew His  measureless.
  
 Though one of untold living saints
 Christ has, I’m not left on my own,
 He loves, inspires, honors, covers,
 Protects me like no one I’ve known.
  
 He truly has my back – gives ample
 Support like the true Husband He is,
 For these reasons I got to stay strong
 And loyal to Him who made me His.
  
 - composed June 5, 2019 by Nadine Drayton-Keen 

To God be the Glory. Amen!