There are moments in life when the path ahead isn’t as clear as it once was. Seasons change, circumstances shift, and sometimes we find ourselves standing in a place we never expected to be. I’ve been there.
Many of you who’ve followed my journey over the years know that my wife Mary and I shared 49 wonderful years together. When she passed and stepped into heaven, it left a space in my life that’s hard to fully put into words. For a time, I kept moving forward the way I always have—working, fishing, staying busy. That first stretch, I was adjusting. You tell yourself, “This is just the next chapter.”
But as time went on, something became very clear—there was an emptiness. A quiet at the end of the day that hadn’t been there before. And that’s when I started reflecting more deeply on something the Bible tells us right from the beginning: man was not meant to be alone.
When God Opens a New Door
Life has a way of bringing people into your path when you least expect it—but often exactly when you need it most. Through church, I met someone who, like me, was looking for companionship, for connection, for purpose in this next phase of life.
And I truly believe this—God put us together.
Now, I know that statement might make some people pause. In today’s world, there are all kinds of ways people approach relationships. And I had people—friends, even professionals—ask me a simple but pointed question:
“Al, at your age, why get married? Why not just live together?”
It’s a fair question in today’s culture. But for me, the answer was as clear as the calm surface of a lake at sunrise.
Choosing God’s Full Blessing
I’ve spent my life learning—on the water and off—that when you follow the right path, the results take care of themselves. Fishing teaches that. Faith reinforces it.
And in this case, I knew something deep down:
I want all of God’s blessings. Not some of them. Not part of them. All of them.
Marriage, to me, isn’t just a commitment between two people—it’s a commitment made with God at the center. It’s alignment with His Word. And I don’t believe you can step fully into His intended blessings without honoring that.
That belief guided my decision.
Looking Ahead with Joy
Today, I can tell you this—I’m happy. Truly happy.
There’s a renewed sense of purpose, of anticipation. The same feeling you get when you launch the boat at first light, not knowing exactly what the day holds, but knowing something good is out there.
That’s how I feel about the future.
What’s God got planned for tomorrow? Next season? A few years down the road?
I don’t know.
But I’m excited to find out.
A Message to Those Walking a Similar Path
I wanted to share this because I know there are some of you reading this who might be in a similar place. Maybe you’ve experienced loss. Maybe you’re navigating a new season. Maybe you’re questioning what comes next.
Here’s what I’d tell you:
- You’re not meant to walk alone
- God still has a plan for your life
- And sometimes, the next blessing requires a step of faith
It might not look like what you expected—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exactly what you need.
Life, like fishing, is full of transitions. Patterns change. Conditions shift. But when you stay grounded in truth—when you trust what you know to be right—you put yourself in position for something special.