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David and Lisa Cannon's move to Palm Bay to take over a ministry there is just the next step in a joint journey that began when they were in college. With Valentine's Day just past, the couple, now in their 40s and married 23 years, share their love story.
By GAIL HOLLENBECK
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 15, 2003
David: We met at Colorado Bible College. It was a ministry-oriented school, so we were on the same bus ministry team together, and that developed into being youth ranch leaders.
Lisa: Believe it or not, David never took me out on a date when we were in our dating years, but we were hardly ever apart because we were always working together -- visiting children, bringing them to church, teaching the classes together, doing the youth group together.
David: We worked together for over a year before we were married and we really learned a lot about each other and our compatibility and how we made a great team. We had many things in common and it just developed into love. She could only resist me so long (laughs). Of course, she was quite cute, she still is, and that didn't hurt at all.
Lisa: We're totally opposite. I can always say I have to believe that God brought us together as complements to each other.
David: It was kind of funny, we were starting to grow closer and closer and one day we were going home from church and I said, "You know you're going to have to marry me," and she says, "Well, you'll have to ask my dad." She didn't say no, and I really didn't ask. So one day I was at her apartment. I couldn't go in, it was college rules. I'd sit out in the hallway. I said, "Bring the phone out, we'll call your dad." I just told her in a joking way; I wasn't being a chauvinist or anything. I'm sure she saw the writing on the wall like I did. I didn't see how I could get along without her, so I really wanted to marry her.
Lisa: I always said I would never marry, but I guess inside I thought I would if Mr. Wow came along.
David: That's my middle name (laughs).
Lisa: My entire teen years I had always prayed for the right one. I never had a list of specifics other than that he love the Lord his God with all his heart. I remember one time, when we were engaged, saying it's really hard for a young woman like myself who wants to be in the ministry to get married, because if a man quits serving the Lord and a woman is married to him, then she has lost her ministry. That was always bothering me; once I marry, the whole rest of my life is based on what he does. And David just looked at me with a shocked look on his face and I remember he said, "Lisa, but I love God." And those words were what I had always prayed about -- that he loved the Lord his God with all his heart. For him to say that was a real security for me. It's something I wish we could all emphasize -- the awesome decision it is and that everyone should be so much in prayer, even parents, for their children's future mates, because it's the most important decision outside of coming to know Christ.
David: I think it's really important that people go into marriage and keep this understanding, that marriage, while it's a great blessing to that one, that's not the purpose. They're in it to love and to bring happiness to their spouse, and as long as you're thinking that way, I believe it helps a whole bunch. The Bible says men are to dwell with our wives according to knowledge and that we're not to allow ourselves to grow bitter against them. I think that you really have to look to the Lord and control your thoughts about one another, because it's so easy after the initial honeymoon to allow negative thoughts to creep into your mind about anyone, but especially your spouse. I really think that you have to point your thoughts to those things that you love and admire and you have to accentuate the positive and think good thoughts toward the one you have married. I think that is key. I love Lisa now more than I ever have, and I think she's still as beautiful, as wonderful, just everything. She hasn't lost a step.
Lisa: My years before I even met David were bathed in prayer and always seeking what God wanted and I always told him, please, Lord, slap me in the face if I'm running ahead of you, I only want what you want. So when I stood at the altar, I knew that this was the one God wants for me. It's not the one that I chased down or determined that I had to have. It's the one God wanted me to have and that has really helped me through the years like when the troubles come. Don't doubt in darkness what God has shown you in the light. We are together till death."