This photo is of Bill and Betty with Jack and Winona.

Longevity Secrets from the Life of Bill Pritchett

Remain faithful to the day you die and I will give you the victor’s crown of life. Revelation 2:10 TPT

Dad grew up on a farm in the Texas Panhandle. He was basically shy and shorter than his older brother, Robert, and cousin, Jack. That all changed when he turned 16. He grew taller and, in time, became very outgoing.

Jack was a significant influence in his life and they traveled together from Texas to California in answer to the call to ministry. This was quite the adventure for a country boy. After they had been in school for a year a new group of students came in for a new school year. Jack encouraged Dad to pursue a ‘friendship’ with Mom. Here’s the story in Dad’s words:

“When a new group of freshmen girls arrived at LIFE, Jack quickly encouraged me to become closer friends with a pretty brunette named Betty because he already had a girlfriend, Winona. Shortly after, we both attempted to go through a door at the same time. Our eyes met and she smiled that smile – you know the one! I was never the same. We started talking more when we went out in groups. We both had the same passion for missions and love for the Lord. It wasn’t until later that I discovered that she gave everyone that same smile.”

They fell in love and were engaged to be married within three months. When telling this story Mom wanted to make sure the grandchildren knew that they waited to get married for a year – until after she graduated. Neither of them had ever had a serious relationship and they knew it was God’s will for them to be together.

They ministered side-by-side and supported one another through the ups and downs of over 60 years of ministry. They gave their all and gained new disciples no matter where they were sent to serve. Ministry can be hard sometimes and yet, these two remained triumphant and faithful to their call and to each other.

After Mom moved to Heaven, Dad referred to the last two years of her life as the best of his life. He felt this way because he was able to take care of her. She developed Macular Degeneration and became a little forgetful. She always knew who we were but would ask us if she had told us how much she loved us yet. He was thrilled for the opportunity to serve her and lavish her with triumphant love. He would tell her often, “I so enjoy you.”

Their ability to overcome obstacles and difficult times inspires me to do the same. I never heard them criticize others or lash out for what they considered might be a wrong decision. Instead, they looked around for what they could do in the situation and developed a whole new group of disciples.

Longevity Secret #23:

Find the positive in every situation that comes your way. Reach out to meet new friends and invest in their growth. They will love you for it.

This post is part of the Write 31 Days 2019 challenge. Click here to find more longevity secrets.

Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Her books will inspire you to embrace hope no matter what you are going through. As a caregiver and widow she took brave steps forward to fulfill God’s calling on her life. She has now remarried and enjoys her new hubby and spending time with their children and grandchildren. To increase hope and improve relationships with yourself and those that you love, check out her Facebook page – The Power of Hope.