A Portrait of Love: The True Story of a Beautiful Marriage

By Norma Scarlett

A Portrait of Love is a true love story about the romance and life of Norma Scarlett and her late husband, Joshua, affectionately known as Joshie. The couple enjoyed forty-three years of wedded bliss, five children, and a wonderful life together, ordained and blessed by God.
Written by Norma, but through God’s guidance and perspective, A Portrait of Love offers a shining example of what a beautiful, God-given marriage relationship can and should look like—the way God designed and intended marriage to be. This beautiful book also contains helpful tools on how a couple can greatly improve their own marriage by truly loving and serving each other to have a dynamic and successful marriage.
It’s a true love story that takes you into the lives of a couple who was passionate and madly in love with one another; only death could have separated them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Oct 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781486620432

Book preview

A PORTRAIT OF LOVE

Copyright © 2020 by Norma Scarlett

All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations taken from the New King James Version ® (NKJV). Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

ISBN: 978-1-4866-2042-5

eBook ISBN: 978-1-4866-2043-2

Word Alive Press

119 De Baets Street Winnipeg, MB R2J 3R9

www.wordalivepress.ca

Cataloguing in Publication information can be obtained from Library and Archives Canada.

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

In the very heart of your house,

Your children like olive plants

All around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

Who fears the Lord.

The Lord bless you out of Zion,

And may you see the good of Jerusalem

All the days of your life.

Yes, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

(Psalm 128)

Dedication:

In Loving Memory of the Best Friend I Have Ever Had

I dedicate this book to my late husband, Joshua Artiman Scarlett, who loved me unconditionally for the forty-three years we were married. I am truly honoured to have been his wife and best friend. He taught me to love God and people. He taught me the importance of forgiving those who trespass against me. He taught me to appreciate God’s grace, His love, and His provision. He was an example for our five children and me.

Who I am today is definitely a reflection of his faithfulness to God and his support and commitment to me. He will always be in our thoughts.

I dedicate this book to my late mother, Edith Theodora Wilson, who raised me to be the woman I am today. Her sweet and gentle spirit along with her kind attitude guided me until I was old enough to be on my own. I will never forget my sweet mother.

I dedicate this book to my late father, Ernest Percival Wilson, who made many sacrifices for me and loved me unconditionally. I was Daddy’s little girl. I will always remember my precious father.

I dedicate this book to my late mother-in-law, Vera Downer, who raised my husband to be the great man of God that he was. Without my dear mother-in-law, there would not have been a Joshua.

Acknowledgments

Chapter One:

A Remarkable Man

Chapter Two:

The Proposal (How God Divinely Connected Us)

Chapter Three:

Announcing Our Engagement

Chapter Four:

Our Wedding Day

Chapter Five:

Returning to Our Church

Chapter Six:

His Love for and Devotion to God

Chapter Seven:

His Love for and Devotion to Me

Chapter Eight:

His Love for and Devotion to the Children

Chapter Nine:

His Love for and Devotion to His Mothers

Chapter Ten:

God’s Provisions

Chapter Eleven:

Joshie’s Final Days

Chapter Twelve:

Life without My Beloved

Chapter Thirteen:

You, Too, Can Have a Successful Marriage

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I must, first and foremost, acknowledge my magnificent Heavenly Father, the great Creator who gave me the idea to write this book. I thank my awesome Father for inspiring me.

As I sat at my computer, and didn’t know where or how to begin, I bowed my head in reverence to God and started praying. Before I finished communicating with Him, the words began to flow. I never kept a journal, but thank God, He kept one. The Holy Spirit brought back the memories to me. Thank You, Lord!

I give special acknowledgment to my two beautiful stepdaughters, Pauline and Norma. You have been a source of encouragement to me.

I would also like to thank my five beautiful children, Adrian George Fitzgerald, Stephanie Christina, Zion Hezekiah, Jasmin Shahin, and Courtney Jerome, for your love, patience, and support. Thanks for believing in me. My achievements are yours. I love you all.

Chapter One:

A Remarkable Man

My journey began on February 16, 1974, with this remarkable

man, Joshua (Joshie) Scarlett.

God was crafting something brand new in our lives. His plans and purposes are sure, even when we may not understand where He is taking us. God spoke through the prophet, Jeremiah: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

The Almighty brings into our lives special people so that we can express love (especially God’s love), share with, complement, build up, inspire, encourage, and lean on each other as we go through this incredible journey. I call this bringing together the Divine Connection. God certainly knows how to unfold the purpose He has for each of His children.

From day one, I knew Joshie (as I affectionately called him) was a special man, even though he came to me with absolutely no recommendations. No one told me about his character. Nevertheless, I had this settled peace in my mind, flowing like a gentle stream. This was indeed God’s perfect will.

God Almighty is such an awesome God, and every single thing He does, He does well.

Many people have asked me over the years, How did you meet such a kind, sweet, and gentle man? The thing is, I didn’t meet him per se; rather, we attended the same church. I