Tag: Connie Faulkner

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That Old Feeling


Connie and I were married on this date 56 years ago. On this anniversary, I must say that other than the gift of eternal life, she is the best gift God ever gave me. I am thankful for her and thankful to her. I am certain that marrying Connie was an important part of the will of God for my life.

She has, for 56 years, been a trusted confidant, a loving companion,  and a happy co-laborer in the service of Jesus Christ. She is a beautiful wife, mother and grandmother. Words are inadequate to express how I feel on this special day. Maybe the Hallmark card will help.

However, there was a time in the year 1967 that I came close to losing her. We were students in college. It was probably because of my uncertainty and immaturity that we decided to date other people. She was much more secure within herself than I was then.

During that year, every girl I dated was lovely and interesting. But I could not help comparing each one to Connie. I discovered before long that no one could measure up  to her beauty, her thoughtfulness, her strength, and the emotional hold she had on me.

At first, when I saw her with other guys it didn’t bother me. But the longer we were apart I began to realize that I could not imagine life without her. I still loved her. In the good providence of God, she took me back and we declared our love for each other.

A song that expressed that for me then was a ballad sung by Andy Williams: “I saw you last night and got that old feeling. / When you came in sight I got that old feeling. / The moment that you passed by, I felt a thrill. / and when you caught my eye my heart stood still. /  Suddenly I seemed to feel that old yearning. / Then I knew the flame of love was still burning. / There’ll be no new romance for me, It’s foolish to start / when that old, old feeling is still in my heart.”

We were married the next year, August 2, 1968.  We still love each other.

Pastor Randy Faulkner

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My Children’s Mother

One reason my children are great parents is the good example of their mother. Connie Thompson Faulkner is the living quintessence of the ideal wife and mother described in Proverbs 31. For that reason, this week, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28).

My Children's Mother

When Connie and I married almost 52 years ago, I was out of my mind with romantic love. I loved her truly and well then, and I still do, but I had no idea what a treasure she would prove to be as life unfolded. We became parents early and often. It did not take me long to recognize that she was born to be a mother. An only child herself, she said she always wanted to have lots of children.

She knew what she was doing. By that I mean she always seemed to know the right thing to do in every parenting situation. She loved nurturing her babies. As they passed through the stages of childhood she taught them, prayed and played with them, encouraged and guided them.

When they entered adolescence, she understood how to adapt her parenting style without sacrificing her standards. She gave them gifts of emotional security, confidence, healthy independence, and the expectation of excellence. Above all, she gave them a good example.

She was the first piano teacher for our eldest son who is now a professional church musician. She coached our daughter to a win in a state-wide scholarship pageant. She knew what she was doing because she had won a few of those herself. She loved being a wedding planner. That was a good thing because our first three children were married the same year! Later she was a supportive presence when grandchildren came along.

After twenty-five years as a  stay-at-home mom, Connie went back to the profession she was trained for. She excelled as a teacher. I told her more than once that she should write a book on classroom management and it should be titled, “The Happy Classroom.” Her income helped pay for college tuition for our two youngest children.

Words are inadequate as I try to describe what it meant to me to have such a partner in the service of the church. She loves the Lord and she loves people. The people of the churches felt that love as she, in different seasons through the years, mentored younger women, taught Sunday School, sang in adult choirs, and directed children’s and youth choirs. She did it all in a way that seemed effortless. She gave of herself freely.

She has the gift of hospitality and she has always been ready to open our home for groups and individuals in connection with our ministry to people. The meals she prepared and the desserts she baked added joy to every gathering. As far as I know, she never caused our children to feel neglected. She found ways to include them in what we were trying to do in ministry. This contributed to their emotional intelligence and their understanding of service.

Second only to life in Christ, I consider Connie to be the best gift God ever gave me. I could not ask for a more loyal, loving wife. She is strong in character, good sense, and compassion. I am sure that this weekend her children, Jay, Carrie, Mary, Anna, and Michael, will join me in praising her with these words from Proverbs 31: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (vv. 29-30).

    –  Pastor Randy Faulkner