I wrote this as a gift for my wife at our wedding. I intended to read it at the ceremony but could not get the words out. Pastor Danny read it for me. Cheryl is the best thing to ever happen to me. She is a very special gift from God that I share with everyone who meets here.
I am blessed beyond measure.
How Do You know God has Sent You an Angel
by Jim Swallow
This is a poem that I wrote for Cheryl Anne for our wedding on August 23rd 2002. Cheryl is a gift from God and I will always Love her the way I did on our wedding day. I am thankful to God daily for this gift of Love.
I know because I was missing someone in my life and I prayed to the Lord that he would send me an Angel that would love me for who I am.
All of you know because you saw the joy in my face never seen until Cheryl became a part of my life.
God knows because a short time later he sent a woman who’s AOL chat name was “Angel of Love”.
God knows because I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. Freeing me from all my fears.
Psalms 34:4
I know because my faith was weak until I met Cheryl.
All of you know that Cheryl’s faith could move mountains.
God knows because it is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.
It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people of old because of their faith.
Hebrew 11:1-3
I know because I thought that long distance romances could never work.
All of you know because I moved here to be with my Angel and Love is not measured by distance.
God Knows because we do not change in order to receive God’s approval we change as a response to God’s Love.
John 8:1-11
I know because I waited a long long time for the right person to come along.
All of you know because you were beginning to wonder if I would ever get married.
God knows because we must wait patiently in prayer for God to do his work in us.
Psalms 40:1
I know because I needed an assistant for a wedding 1200 miles away,
Cheryl said that she would be glad to help.
We spent the next 5 days getting to know each other.
All of you know because of how she likes to photograph people, not! but came to be with me.
God knows because he said it is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a companion who will help him.
Genesis 2:18
I know because I used to say that love is nothing but a (bleep) . Now Loving Cheryl means everything to me.
All of you know because Love is what keeps us all together.
God knows because Love is the greatest gift. Love is patient, love is kind, It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud, It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes , always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-7
I know because when I need help she is my strength and my support.
All of you know because when you need help she is the first person to come to your aide and support you
with what ever you need including extra prayers.
God knows because we grow stronger through the mutual encouragement and accountability of other believers.
1 Thessalonians 3: 1-4
I know because she has the voice that could only have been created by God.
All of you know because when she sang to sinners in prison it was the voice of forgiveness that helped
to bring them to accept Christ.
God knows because The people of God are exhorted to praise him with singing, music, and great joy.
Psalms 149 and 150
I know because she taught me how to hug. All of you know because she hugs everyone.
God knows because he said we must take time to embrace.
Ecclesiastes 3
I know because I told a friend that I would marry Cheryl 5 months before I asked her
and she already knew we would be married.
All of you know because you told me not to let go of this girl.
That only the Lord could have provided such a wonderful gift.
God knows because He already knows what is to come.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
I know because I wanted someone thin and Cheryl wanted someone fluffy
but we are not supposed to think in that way.
All of you know because the Lord tells us to love one another
for who we are on the inside not for who we are physically.
God knows because we should not be selfish and live to make a good impression on others.
Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs,
but be interested in others too and what they are doing.
Philippians 2:3
I know because I found love after 40.
Most of you know because you have loved her through the good times and the bad times and she is not yet 40.
God knows because patience is a by-product of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our Hearts.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
I know because she is my best friend.
All of you know because she is everyone’s friend.
God knows because a real friend sticks closer that a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
I know because she makes me laugh and smile.
All of you know because her nickname is Happy Day.
God knows because He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21
I know because when she is not feeling good I am not feeling good.
All of you know because when you don’t feel good she is the first person to comfort and pray for you.
God knows because He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
2 Corinthians 1:4
I know because I once had only a handful of friends who meant the world to me
now I have lots of friends who mean the world to us.
All of you know because you have welcomed me as part of your family.
God knows because whoever walks with the wise will become wise.
Proverbs 13:20
I know because Cheryl works as hard as I do, we love what we do and it brings us closer to each other and to the Lord.
All of you know because she works very hard at everything she does until it is done.
God knows because Christians are expected to be productive so they don’t became
a burden to others and a bad examples to the world.
2 Thessalonians 3
I know because photography was my life and now Cheryl is my life.
All of you know because photography was Cheryl’s life now we have a life together with photography, art and the Lord and not in that order.
I know because when I need something done Cheryl is always there to help me and I will always be there to help her.
Everyone knows because Cheryl always puts her friends’ needs before her own needs every time.
God knows because I must receive her in the Lord as one who is worthy of high honor.
Help her in every way I can, for she has helped many in need, including me.
Romans 16:2
I know because I gave up looking for my soul mate and thought my mission was to help others.
All of you know she never wanted another man in her life.
God knows because he said it is not good for a man or a woman to be alone.
Genesis 2:18
I know because I see the way the Lord fills her heart.
All of you know because you see our Lord in everything she creates and does.
All of us know that when someone touches our life as much as Cheryl has, It is only through the Grace of God that our lives have been touched.
When you ask something of the Lord he answers you. You just need patience
When I was deciding to stay in Fort Lauderdale or move to Saint Petersburg where Cheryl lives I earnestly prayed to the Lord for guidance, At that moment I looked over at a boat yard and saw the stern of a boat and the name of the boat was “Movin’ On”. It was clear to me that he had sent an angel to help and guide me. Thank you Lord for your gift of Love and Grace