One
of the greatest honors I have ever had in my life time, was to be married for
32 ½ years to the only woman I have ever loved – Michal Ann Goll. She was my
prize, my joy, the one that lightened my load with her disarming laugh and
cheerful demeanor. She was my angel. She was my friend. I never laughed, cried
or prayed with anyone as much as I did with my Annie.
I
remember in May of 1975 when I went on a morning walk and I was conversing with
the Holy Spirit out loud. I asked the Lord the famous question, “Who’s for me?”
To my amazement, He responded as clearly to me that day as if you were speaking
to me. He said, “Ann Willard.” I said “Who?” “He said Ann Willard.”
I
persisted and curiously asked again, “Who is for me?” The Lord responded so
gently and yet firmly, “Ann Willard. Not only that, but you will be outwardly
engaged by September and will marry on the following May 15th.” I
liked what I heard and that was that. God spoke, I believed it and it came to
pass just like He said.
And That Was That!
We
had never been on a date, never really did. But sure enough, by July we were
attending Bible Studies together and by September we were outwardly engaged.
And yes, by the following May 15th, 1976, we were married. Amazing
when you look back on it. Our life together was marked by the voice of the
cooing dove of God.
So
the 15th is one of those significant dates in my life. On another 15th,
of September 2008, my darling and the mother of our four miracle kids, slipped
through the very thin veil and graduated to be with the lover of her soul – Jesus.
She has been worshipping before His throne now for the last 4 years.
My Personal Musings
Sometime
I journal and ask intriguing questions…. “Have
you seen the four living creatures? What are they really like?” “What is your
mansion like? Have you visited with those in your Heroes Hall of Fame that you
wrote about in your Women on the Frontlines trilogy?”
They
say the pain subsides as time goes by. You pick up the pieces and just move
on…. But time does not heal, only God does. I miss watching her shake her head and roll her brown
eyes and simply say, “Now Jim!”
While
I still have some strides to make in moving forward in dealing with grief and
loss, there is one thing I know for sure.
I am one of the most grateful men on the planet - cause few have ever
had the honor I have had – to be married to Michal Ann Willard Goll and have
four miracle children together: Justin, GraceAnn, Tyler and Rachel.
As
a Tribute to a Proverbs 31 Woman, I wanted to bring before you once again a
portion of her hand written will and testament.
Last Will and Testament of Michal Ann Goll
I, Michal Ann Goll, being of sound mind and
deposing of memory do make and publish this Last Will and Testament.
It has been my goal
and desire to love the Lord with all my heart all the days of my life. My desire
is to leave with my family, friends and ministry partners a challenge to always
love and honor God with all your life. I request that you not forget the poor
that Jesus died for and that you carry on my ministry of Compassion Acts to the world.
Michal Ann Goll
We love you
Annie! We miss you so much! But we are carrying on and the family is growing.
So today I thank the Lord once again for one of the most authentic Christians I
ever met – my late wife, Michal Ann Willard Goll. Thank you Lord, for speaking
to me that spring morning in May 1975!
In Loving Memory,
James W. Goll
