I love this story and you will enjoy it because you like love stories. And it’s
about me and my wife. So now, everybody’s waking up. So two weeks ago we celebrated
our 49th wedding anniversary. Thank you on God’s behalf. Marriage is about grace
and forgiveness, you will find out. So let’s suppose — now remember what I’m
doing here with this story. I am trying to make the point that God is most
glorified in us when we’re most satisfied in him, all right? So I buy 50 —
because we’re in our 50th year of marriage now, okay? Even though it’s 49th.
And I hold these bundle of roses — they cost 200 bucks, right? Give or take. I
hold these huge bundle of roses behind my back, and instead of walking in my front
door, I ring the doorbell, which is unusual. And she comes to the door and looks
puzzled. And I say, “Happy anniversary, Noël!”
And she says, [feedback]
She says, “Oh, Johnny, they’re beautiful! Why did you go to such an expense?” And
suppose I said, “It’s my duty. I read it in a book.” This is what husbands do.” What’s
wrong with that answer? You’re shaking your head. That’s right ,you should be
shaking your head. Okay, I’ll show you what’s wrong with the answer. And we’ll
just rewind. Ding-dong.
“Happy anniversary, Noël!” “Oh, Johnny, they’re beautiful! Why did you go to such
an expense?” “Well, I couldn’t help myself. In fact, I’ve got a plan for this evening.
I want you to go put on something nice because we’re going out. Because there’s
nothing I’d rather do than spend the evening with you. It would make me very happy.
[applause]
Do you think — do you think that at that moment she would say, “It would make you
happy? You’re always thinking about what makes you happy. What about me? I’m your wife.”
You think she’d say that, when I said “This evening spent with you as an all-
satisfying person in my life tonight would make me happy,” you think she’d say, “All
you ever think about is what makes you happy”?
Why? Because she is glorified when I’m satisfied in her. You know this. You know
this in your experience. What you find, or she or he in whom you find pleasure
makes them your treasure. That’s what they feel. “I feel treasured right now
because you are finding your joy in me. I feel treasured.” So does God!
That's the point.
So, don’t go to church and say, “That’s what Christians do. I read it in a book.”
Ring the doorbell, and when God opens the door, say, “Nothing would make me happier
than to meet you here because I need you.”