(Sweet Pea)
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| Sweet Pea |
I married my high school sweetheart thirty-five years ago
June 18th. Best decision of my life. Frances Jo is fond of reminding
me that we met for the first time on the Ides of March 1972. Unbeknownst to me
she decided that day that we would one day be married. Amazing what these women
know while we guys don’t seem to have a clue.
Later we would discover that we had both been in Germany in
1961 where we lived with our SOULdier-fathers. We lived in German cities which
were only about 100 miles apart. We were part of the drama happening in Berlin
as communist masters built a concrete cage to keep their citizens isolated from
democracy and liberty. What an amazing synchronicity to be stationed in Germany
with our own family when the Wall collapsed in November 1989.
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| Berlin Wall, Easter Monday 1990 |
There is a real sense in our case that opposites attract.
My beloved is mysteriously introverted, gentle in manner but tenacious as a bulldog
when pursuing her convictions and passions. True to her German heritage (nee
Fuehrer) she has fangs and claws when it comes to the welfare of our children.
She gave the best years of young adulthood (19) as the teacher, mentor and nurturer as a home
educator. In the process she studied each child’s bent and exegeted their
temperaments to me, the military dad.
The valedictorian of her college class (Augusta State
University, Class of ’78), with a major in accounting and minor in computer
science, she is chiefly responsible for the financial solvency, freedom from
debt and routine peace of mind we currently enjoy. She balances my tendency
toward emotional decision making with her solid facts-based analysis. Hence we
have experienced the joy and blessing of consistent collaboration in the key
decisions of our marriage.
The main blessing of our life together has been the
shared vision for ministry; especially in our calling to the Army chaplaincy
with its constant moves (12 locations in 27 years). Never a complaint but a sense of adventure as
the Lord in His wise providence took us from Germany to Korea and many
installations in between. She graciously bore the challenge of living for three
years in a remote venue in northern Germany.
Her love of music has brightened our life. A first-chair
clarinetist in high school and self-taught flutist, she passed on that love to
our children, patiently supporting our daughter Sara’s love of piano and involving
all the sibs in our church’s hand bell choir. Special memories of Fran always
include her softly singing or humming as we took car trips or as she sat
quietly on rainy days reading her pastime novels.
In our family menagerie we have animal totems for each
personality. Ryan is the Owl, Ian the Fox, Colin the Bear, Sara the fawn and
Frances Jo is a blend of golden retriever and beaver. I’m designated the
Lion-Eagle-Otter. (The kids are persuaded that I’m the skunk.) The reality is
that in the loudness and craziness of the Sextons in their natural habitat,
Fran is the quiet eye in the hurricane.
The greatest blessing in our life together is witnessing
her steadfast pursuit of Jesus. Giving her life to Christ in the midst of
adolescent anxiety about her seriously ill father and attendant health
challenges for herself, she has a disciplined devotional life, an abiding
prayerful faith and servant’s heart. Her spiritual gifts are mercy, faith,
hospitality and encouragement. Frances Jo has modeled a fierce loyalty to her
friendships over the years. While not particularly gregarious, she bonds with
her Christian-sisters for the long-haul. And that in the midst of the sometimes
tumultuous military lifestyle.
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| The Skunk |
My blessing with her is that she has such unconditional
love and respect in our marriage. She has direct access to my heart and life
and knows that she can speak into my life on just about any matter under the
sun. She possesses the power of effective listening and she is my best sounding
board. She demonstrates such integrity when she holds to her convictions and
insights, even when I am seeking an ally in a given area. We are blessed to
enjoy a one flesh relationship in which each one retains their individual
identities while living out our solidarity in Jesus’ grace and mercy.
Thank you, Sweet Pea for being the love of my life!
See you at the Potter's wheel!
G.K.Sexton
She is far more precious than jewels.
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
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