Living by Faith

"To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child." Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC)The century that transpired during the lives of Cecil and Norma Combs began its journey in a horse and wagon across rural America and ended in the International Space Station. Their news came first by word of mouth and finally by instant messaging via the Internet.How did they survive such enormous change and challenges and yet maintain their sanity and balance? The key ingredient was their faith in God's sovereignty and providence. They raised a family of fourteen children believing that God was in charge of their lives, had a specific plan for them, and would provide everything they needed to fulfill that plan.Like so many of The Greatest Generation, they were humble, ordinary people who lived each day by the dictates of their hearts. Despite living simple lives, they impacted thousands of people. They were faithful to the tasks God set before them, and they loved people. Rather than quoting the Golden Rule, they lived it.This is the story of the history, the struggles, and the victories of an ordinary family. This is the story of Cecil and Norma Combs, two people who lived by faith.Judith Combs Puckett is a freelance writer, mother of three, and grandmother of seven. She has written poetry, magazine articles, and Sunday School literature since retiring from OG&E Electric Services. She has served alongside her husband Jim during their 45-year marriage as he pastored churches in Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma. She and Jim live in Norman, Oklahoma, and attend One Church in nearby Moore. She enjoys traveling, reading, walking, and photography. She welcomes your comments by e-mail at jpuckett3@yahoo.com.