The Night I Threw Deanna Five Feet Into the Air
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
“Christ is dear to you in bonds of marriage union, and you are dear to Him; behold, He grasps both of your hands with both His own, saying, ‘My sister, my bride.’ Consider how the Lord gets such a double hold of you that He neither can nor will ever let you go.” – C.H. Spurgeon
When Deanna and I got married back in 1985, neither of us had much money. And so, we spent our wedding night at a hotel along the PA Turnpike on our way to the Philadelphia International Airport the following day. From there, we flew to Tampa, rented a car, and drove to my uncle’s condo in St. Pete’s Beach, which he had graciously offered us for free for our honeymoon.
The condo complex had a nice swimming pool, and we enjoyed cooling off in the evenings after a long day of sightseeing at Busch Gardens, Epcot, or some other local attractions. However, I was very careful to keep a close watch on my new bride because I knew that Deanna didn’t know how to swim and I didn’t want anything to happen to her.
I guess that concern was in the back of my mind as we drifted off to sleep one night because I had a dream that Deanna was drowning. My dream was so realistic that while still asleep, I slipped my arms underneath her in the bed and threw her completely in the air. In my subconscious mind – and dreamlike state – I was lifting Deanna out of the pool and saving her from drowning. However, my “lifesaving” attempt sure startled her, and we both had a good laugh afterwards.
My friend, the Bible makes it very clear that we, as believers, are the bride of Christ. As such, He will do anything and everything in His power to protect us and provide for us. Need proof? Just look at what He did at Calvary, laying down His life so that our sins could be forgiven and we could spend eternity together with Him in heaven.
That’s love in action… just like my “rescuing” Deanna from drowning in the pool – I mean the bed – at our condo in St. Pete’s Beach 40 years ago.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (BSB)
“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27 (ESV)
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
