Blink!

I remember the day I held our firstborn in my arms, and suddenly our lives were changed forever. We weren't really sure we even knew what to do with this new blessing. But like all parents, we learned. In fun, I remember calculating the year of his high school graduation. At that time, 1999 sounded eons away. But then--we blinked--and it was here. We blinked again…and our middle son left in 2002. One more blink…and our daughter left in 2006. 

And as quickly as we became new parents, we became empty-nesters, and suddenly our lives were changed again. And again, we weren't really sure we even knew what to do with this new blessing.

A Romans 8:28 Marriage

October 28, 1978

This year, my husband and I celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary. To remain married that long is indeed an accomplishment to be celebrated these days as sadly, so many marriages end in divorce. We truly must have had a marriage made in heaven…right?

I wish I could say that. At least it certainly did not begin that way, nearly ending in divorce after only ten short years.

Pull up a chair and allow me to share with you why I call our marriage a “Romans 8:28 marriage”.

Lover of My Soul

I have another Lover in my life…

Now that I have your attention, let me explain.  

I wish I could say that I have had the storybook, romance novel marriage since the moment we said, “I do”. As I’ve shared in previous posts, the spiritual foundation on which we began our marriage was indeed a sandy one. My husband had scarcely stepped foot inside a church building outside of our wedding day, and though I had been raised in the church, my life surely did not reflect any signs of true Christianity. 

Therefore, as things began to deteriorate in our marriage within only a few years, we had nothing on which to stand for stability.  Our only guidelines were our feelings--anger, sadness, fear, and bitterness, resentment. A friend of mine suggested marital counseling, giving me the number of one she and her husband used. I called the counselor and set up the first appointment for myself—alone. 

I entered his office to find two chairs placed about three feet apart, directly opposite the other. He politely seated me in one, and with yellow legal pad in hand, took his seat in the other. After the customary exchange of pleasantries, he began his routine, but not before throwing out this odd disclaimer: 

“I am extremely attracted to you, but I am not going to allow that to distract me from counseling you.” 

Okay, what am I supposed to do with that? 

Train Up Your Child, (and not your mini-me)

 “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." 

 Prov. 22:6

I remember a conversation I had years ago with an individual who shared their concern for the teenage son of a couple who appeared to be living vicariously through him. My friend shared of how this boy had very little, if any, free time. Even summers were laden with one camp after another, turning down opportunities to partake in family events which may have taken one or two days out of his rigorous schedule.

Granted, my friend admitted, though it was still overload, the grueling schedule was plausibly understandable if the son was indeed a star athlete—an A-string player who oozed talent and ability from every pore. But bless his heart, he could barely walk and chew gum at the same time.

Keep the Tap Open

2/12/13 - The forecast calls for snow today. It's currently 37 degrees outside. 40 degrees warmer than the day this post was originally written two years ago. The message, however, remains the same no matter the temperature.

~~♥~~

“Holy Snowflakes, it’s cold!”

My computer tells me it is a minus 4 degrees beyond the bricks and mortar of my comfort; therefore, I shall not be moved. But today is yet another day that the Lord has made and I’ve chosen to rejoice and be glad in it! (Ps. 118:24) Glad that I can be inside. Thankful too.

During weather such as we have experienced this past week, wisdom gained from the past teaches us of the importance to “drip” our faucets while we sleep. Many of us have learned the hard way that temperatures in the sub-zero range, especially accompanied by strong winds, can quickly freeze water pipes if we fail to take precautions. A small, yet steady stream of water running continually helps prevent water from freezing inside the lines. 

It is a simple concept; moving water doesn’t freeze as easily as standing water.

Prayer for the Troubled Marriage

“As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” – Mark 10:7-8

Lord, Your Word tells us that by divine design, a man shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. We receive that Lord, but there are times we really struggle. So today, Father, I lift every marriage up to You, and especially those who are currently going through very troubled waters.