Traveling in Northern New Hampshire on a clear day during the fall foliage season, when the trees are flaunting their beautiful colors across the landscape and the sun is beginning to set behind the mountains, is a delightful experience.

That was the view my mother, my wife and I were enjoying one September evening as we were returning home after visiting our oldest son and his family who live in the southern part of the state.

As I was admiring the scenery, I had one eye on the sunset and the other looking for a restaurant, because it was past dinner time and we were getting hungry. I drove straight by all the fast food places and the expensive tourist traps, looking for an affordable place that served good food.

Just north of the town of Lincoln, I spotted a restaurant that looked like it might make the grade, so I pulled over to the side of the road. It was located next to the sidewalk on the other side of the street with several stairs leading up to the front entrance.

My wife suggested that I first go in and take a look at the menu, but I was not too enthused about that idea; and as I hesitated to answer, she said, "I'll go," and quickly left the van, walked across the street, up the stairs and into the restaurant.

While my mom and I were waiting, I began thinking about my wife. I say very little about her or my marriage for two reasons: First, because I know they are both a gift to me from the Lord and I want them all to myself; and, secondly, I doubt if anyone would really believe what I said if I did talk about them. But to lead up to the experience that prompted me to write this book, I must speak about them this one time.

As I tell you this, most likely you will think, He's got to be kidding. That's just impossible. It's too good to be true! Regardless of how unbelievable this will sound, I am telling it like it is: My wife and I have been married many years and we have not had a fight or even what you could call an argument! That is the kind of marriage we have. We have had over thirty precious years together that keep getting better and better all the time. We still act as if we were newlyweds. Christ has been and remains the center of our lives and our marriage. I could call this union exceptional or super, but one word says it all: sacred.

Many years ago I prayed for a wife and I was specific in my prayer: I asked for everything I thought a woman should be--and God gave me more. How can I fight with someone that I love the way I love her? I don't want to think about the possibility of ever being without her.

As I was still thinking about my wife, waiting for her to come out of the restaurant, I saw, quite a distance away, a car quickly approaching from the opposite direction. Immediately, I had a feeling within me of danger--that I must warn my wife about that car.

I looked and she was just stepping out of the restaurant door, so I rolled my window partly down to warn her of the danger of the approaching vehicle. But before I did, I thought, What am I doing? What will people think if I call out, "Honey, watch out as you cross the street!" She is a very intelligent woman; surely she will look both ways before crossing.

I don't know what she had on her mind, but, as I watched, she walked down the stairs, across the sidewalk, past a parked car and began to step directly into the path of the oncoming vehicle. I finally yelled, "Watch out!" as I leaned on my horn. The car missed her, but another half a step, another fraction of a second and she could have been killed! Needless to say, my mother, my wife and I were shaken by this experience.

I thought about this incident during the rest of the drive home. I could not understand how she could have stepped, without looking, into the path of an oncoming car. I felt as if, in the future, I would want to take her by the hand every time she crossed a street.

Then later in the evening the Lord spoke to my heart and revealed to me that He had allowed it to happen for a reason. He wanted to get my attention so I would listen to something important that He had been trying to tell me for a long time.

He said, "I love My Bride more than you love your wife. Why do you hesitate to warn her of danger?"