By Walter & Ikie Beamon
In the six decades of our marriage, God has always shown up for us, especially during our most challenging times. From the beginning of our marriage, we have fervently sought to honor God and follow Jesus Christ as dictated in holy scripture. We have been richly blessed as we valued our wedding vows. God has blessed us through His faithfulness by allowing us to be there for each other.
Recognizing our union as one and with God’s presence, we have successfully faced and overcome some rather difficult challenges:
The long periods of separation during our first two years were challenging emotionally. However, the first year of our marriage was the most challenging, as we were hundreds of miles apart and facing isolation and loneliness. We were in our early 20s, and it seemed like life stood still! God guided and directed our path and provided us with comfort, support, and encouragement for each other through the power of the Holy Spirit.
During serious illnesses and surgeries, God provided us with mutual emotional and physical strength to be successful caregivers for each other. For many months after breast cancer became front and center in our lives, with the excruciating agony of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for many weeks, it was only by the grace and goodness of God that we made it. Ikie has now been a survivor for 17 years!
Over the span of years during temptations, tests, and trials, God gave us insights to recognize the wiles of Satan. There were a number of times when it would have been easy to rationalize and justify yielding to moments of tantalizing temptations, but the Holy Spirit was always with us, and ways of escape were clearly open and available to us. God was faithful in enabling us to stay true to our committed faith and trust in Him and each other.
When we started living together as husband and wife, our eyes were opened to many revelations about each other. Some were funny, some great, and others took time to sink in and simmer. The “good, bad, and the ugly” showed up! However, we became strong and formidable while we grew together as one in Jesus Christ. These revelations could have destroyed our marriage, but because of our commitment to each other and our belief in God’s grace, forgiveness, and guidance, we were forged, sustained, and bound together.
We have been incredibly blessed over these many years and now proclaim, “To God be the glory for the great things He has done!”
Walter and Ikie Beamon are the authors of “A MARRIAGE THAT ENDURES FOREVER: Our Journey, Your Path to a Healthy Marriage,” a resource for couples desiring to strengthen their marriage or making plans for marriage. The book may be used for premarital counseling, marriage seminars, retreats, and small groups. A teacher’s / leader’s guide is also available. Walter is a retired USAF chaplain and colonel. Ikie is a retired registered nurse with a master’s degree in human development counseling. The Beamons live in Madison and are members of Christ United Jackson. For book purchases, speaking engagements, marriage workshops, seminars, or podcasts, email info@BeamonBooks.com or call 601-573-3498.