Giving Honor to a Faithful Man upon His 60th Birthday: June 7, 2017

Lovingly, From Judi

Where do I begin? Sitting here at my desk on an absolutely lovely day, I’m staring at a blank screen wondering how to sum up 38 years of marriage to one of the most remarkable people that I have ever known—David A. Coats. He is not perfect, but he is a faith-filled man. We far too often, in acknowledgement of humility, neglect to speak out, giving honor to whom honor is due. This article is one of my birthday gifts to this wonderful man. Let me summarize my thoughts in a few sentences:
1. His passion for God far surpasses anything that I have every witnessed before. He is what I call, “The real deal.” No fakery; No show for others; No falsehood.
2. I cannot remember a day when he did not spend time with God in the Word or in song or in prayer.
3. I have never seen him angry in 38 years—distressed or peeved at times, but never angry.
4. When God says to “love your wife as Christ loved the church,” I have known such love emotionally and physically by God’s grace—Dave has unselfishly loved me, served me, and worked alongside me as a team.
5. I cannot get a “TO DO” list written because he goes above and beyond to anticipate needs and jobs before I can write them down.
6. When his pride raises its ugly head, he is willing to ask forgiveness and to try to change. And when my pride and selfishness does the same, he forgives.
7. Many men are captivated by the fear of man, wanting approval of those around them. Dave has not desired the praise of men for most of the days that I have known him. Others, even Christians, have “shoved” him aside for their own advancement or their own agenda. His response has always been, “Judi, God knows.”
8. He truly partnered with me in the rearing of our children. He stood his ground in wanting them to be salt and light when the tide of “isolating” the children from the world was extremely popular in Christian culture.
9. He loves his children and grandchildren so deeply and so sincerely that he daily pours out his soul before God on their behalf.
10. He has led us to life and ministry in three different countries: Haiti, Canada, and finally in the United States.
11. He dearly loved the folks of Dunbar Community Bible Church; and he found great joy in preaching the Word, counseling, and discipling the church body together. He desired nothing more than folks to walk closely with God. He now continues to serve God in Colorado.
12. Along with the love and help of several others, his vision for a local, non-profit youth center took shape six years ago. He wanted to see the children in our community flourish in life. After our move to Colorado, this center continued on.
13. He also loves the residents of our community. He prays for many of them faithfully—I see their names on a sheet of paper in his Bible.
14. As a certified, biblical counselor, he gently leads others by staying by their side through the counseling process for sometimes weeks, sometimes years. He is not the type of counselor that sits behind a desk, says “Go change,” and then schedules the next person for the day.
15. He loves to laugh with me and to go on “day-cations” to parks, hardware stores, Panera in Green Bay for hazelnut coffee, or good-old Iron Mountain, Michigan, for a burger. (Or to the many cool places in Denver)
16. He loves to vacation, especially going to see our children and their families in Denver and in Virginia Beach.
17. He actually has a soft spot in his heart for animals. He is very gentle with the dogs and outside “farm cats” that we have had as pets.
18. He has loved me for better and for worse. And I have probably delivered on the worse more often. But he has always been patient with me.
19. He has also stood his ground in being careful with finances; he has disciplined our family to stay clear of as much debt as possible. He calls it a “save to spend” philosophy. That way, we can use money to enjoy others and our family times. And we can also help others in need.
Why did I write this tribute? I guess that I simply wanted the world to know that a really terrific person is turning 60 this week, June 7th, 2017. I think he is very special.