You gotta get away!

My husband and I recently returned from a road trip – created by us – to celebrate our last anniversary. You see, our anniversary is in December so once autumn begins, then the holidays are in full swing, anniversary, Christmas . . . celebrating takes a bit of a back seat. Instead, we plan something during the year after. It’s good for us.

But it’s not easy.

Any couple with any sort of jobs, family, children, church responsibilities . . . well you know -- It’s called LIFE – any couple with any of those items involving their time find it difficult to set aside time just for the two of them . . with each other. Only.

As you read this, how many of you are saying to yourselves, “Tell me about it. We don’t ever do anything that’s just the two of us.” Admitting the problem is the First Step.

The truth is, our responsibilities do take most of our energy, our time, and our imagination. But here’s where a time out is needed along with a good evaluation of your marriage. But more importantly, the future of it.

Scott and I have a good marriage – 27 plus years. And because it’s good, it’s easy to take for granted that anything “extra” is ever needed or required to keep it cutting edge. Until you make the time, plan a date, or regular dates, or especially a short get-away, you don’t realize how much you need it until you do it.

We spent a few days at the beach in South Texas – during the off season. Not very expensive, within driving distance of home . . . but it helped us. And it proved once again, that time being our most valuable resource, is most valuable spent with each other.

Take some time and talk to your spouse. Plan a date, a movie, a dinner, something away from the house. Just you two. Start somewhere. Plan it. Schedule it. Do it.

Your children need solid parents in a solid marriage. You need it too.

It's a Grand Re-Opening!!

OR: Where in the World is Debbie Sandiego?

Hopefully you don’t mind if I answer that question. I’ve been hiding I suppose – Hiding in my summer. Hiding in my son’s preparation for his first year at college and my daughter's senior year at college too. Hiding in some other projects. Hiding in our “empty nest.” But now it’s time to get up on some priorities, some discipline, some future thinking and visioning.

A Grand Re-Opening (of sorts)? I have always found those banners a little bit funny. What is a Grand Re-opening anyway? Another way of saying, “Let’s try this again and start again – only better.” Maybe it means smarter, or with more time to have counted the cost to get going again. Maybe it just means, I need to work harder to make it go.

In any case, that’s where I am. I took a summer off from my regular blog --- not with any real intentions to do so up front . . . but the cares of my life --- or rather the “caring of my life and those I love” became my priority. And you know, sometimes it’s okay to do that. The Bible calls it rest. And if that really is the reason for laying something down, or stepping aside from it for a season, then it can be rest.

It could also be called “avoidance or laziness or selfishness.” I call it rest. This time.

But today – a new day. I’m still resting, but it’s time to do a Grand Re-Opening. Of my blog, yes. Of a new incentive to push forward into some dreams I might have. Yes to that too.

How about you? What have you layed down that should be only for a season? Not forever?

Dust it off. Pick it up. Get moving.

Big Shoes to Fill

Today I break my non blog writing fast (not an intentional hibernation from my blog) . . . It’s just been a busy few weeks – or has it been months?

But today I write to say a few words about the best man I know: The Daddy of my children – the husband of my youth . . . who grew into the best father that I know.

From Day 1 – a little over 21 years ago, he stepped completely into the “Daddy shoes” and he has walked through every stage of these two beautiful kids’ lives . . . completely, fully engaged and with more love than I thought possible.

My kids are blessed beyond words to have this man as the head of our household, as the pray-er over our needs, and as the watcher of our home.

He’s talented. Extremely talented. Funny. Silly at the right times. And solid. Even tempered. Kind. Generous.

He has the love of a father. He has the love of our Heavenly Father. Big shoes to fill. And yet he does.

I am a blessed woman.

Keeping Our Priorities Straight

Guest Blogger: Scott Allen

This is an actual picture of the actual windshield of my son’s car yesterday. He’s fine. Thank God! It was a really freak incident and he handled it amazingly well. Debbie and I had been praying over him off and on all day. We witnessed an accident early in the morning that served as a “prayer cue” to cover our children in prayer – especially their vehicles and safety.

Yesterday afternoon his hood came unlatched while he was driving, came back and smashed his windshield. There were no injuries and no accidents. Just a smashed windshield, a very thankful family and a faithful God who daily makes his wisdom available to anyone who will tune in to receive it.

Take this opportunity to cover yourself and your family in prayer. Make a commitment to listen to wisdom when it comes and keep your priorities straight. You will never be sorry for following the goodness and mercy of God.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord :
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."