1501 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg VA

Church #148 will forever be in my heart as one of the most sacred moments of this entire journey.

Today, at Centenary United Methodist Church on Rivermont Avenue, my husband and I renewed our marriage vows, not just before family, not just before a congregation, but before God.

Standing there beside my husband, with my daughter watching, my in-laws Mike and Molly present, and a loving church family surrounding us, I felt something holy settle over the moment.

It was not simply a ceremony, it was grace made visible.

From the moment we walked through the doors, I sensed this day would be special.

Reverend Ben greeted us warmly, not in a hurry or formal, but genuinely present. That kind of pastoral kindness matters more than people realize.

Every member we encountered reflected that same spirit, smiles, encouragement, gentle congratulations, and heartfelt joy for couples reaffirming their covenant.

It felt less like visiting strangers and more like coming home to a family that already cared.

One of the most moving moments was when the entire congregation prayed over us.

Their prayer will always be in my heart…

“Eternal God, Creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, giver of all grace, bless and sanctify with your Holy Spirit those who have reaffirmed their marriage covenant. Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and with each other all their days, that they may reach out in concern and service to the world through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

I stood there thinking how marriage, at its best, is not sustained by human strength alone.

It is sustained by grace. It is refined by forgiveness. It is carried by the presence of Christ.

The choir lifted our hearts with beautiful hymns, and when we sang “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” I felt tears rise.

That hymn always reminds me that joy is not the absence of struggle, it is the presence of God in the middle of it.

And God has certainly carried us through valleys to stand on this mountain today.

The Gospel reading came from Matthew 17:1–9, the Transfiguration.

Jesus revealed His glory on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah appeared. A bright cloud overshadowed them, and God’s voice declared, “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.”

That passage is breathtaking because it reminds us that sometimes God allows us mountaintop moments, glimpses of His glory, not so we can stay there, but so we have strength for the valleys ahead.

Reverend Ben’s sermon, “Coming Down From The Mountain,” spoke deeply to me.

He reminded us that spiritual highs are real, but discipleship happens when we walk back down into everyday life, still holding onto what we saw and experienced.

He shared a story about Billy Graham being mistaken for a chauffeur, you’ll have to ask him about it, but the heart of the story was humility and remembering that it’s never about us; it’s always about pointing people to Jesus.

One line that stayed with me was his reflection that sometimes believing comes before seeing.

And I can testify to that.

There were seasons in my life where faith was all I had. I believed when healing wasn’t visible yet.

I believed when restoration seemed impossible. I believed when survival itself felt impossible. And today, standing there renewing vows, I realized again that faith often plants seeds long before we see the harvest.

Renewing our vows today wasn’t about pretending marriage has been perfect. It was about acknowledging that God has been faithful even when we were fragile.

It was about choosing love again. It was about saying, “Lord, whatever years you give us, let them honor You.”

There was also a quiet personal realization for me, I am still here.

God preserved my life through seasons that could have ended very differently.

And today was a reminder that survival is not accidental. God keeps us for purpose.

Sometimes He keeps us for moments like this, moments of redemption, renewal, and testimony.

I left Centenary United Methodist Church overwhelmed with gratitude.

Gratitude for the congregation. Gratitude for Reverend Ben’s heartfelt leadership. Gratitude for my family. Gratitude for a marriage still standing. Gratitude most of all for Jesus, who makes all things new.

I will carry this day with me always.

And as this journey continues, I remain expectant, humbled, grateful, and eager to see where the Holy Spirit leads next.

God is still writing the story. And His grace is always enough.