Pt. 2 - "New" but "Old" Priorities...Priority #2

I resolve to be a better wife to Rick this year, to love him more sacrificially, to respect him more honestly, and to laugh with him more heartily. I married my best friend seventeen years ago thinking I knew what love was. I loved him then as best as I knew how. We have amazing and silly memories together. Our love has been true and tough.

But each year, our love deepens as it is challenged, tempted, tested, and fortified. We've had our share of fights and sweet make-ups. He knows me better than anyone in this whole world...and still chooses to love me. I've hurt him more than I've ever hurt anyone else in this life...and yet he continues to forgive and receive me. No matter what (as we so often say to each other)! So it's not only my duty to love my husband (Believe me, it's not always a piece of cake!), but it truly is my absolute delight! In the deepest guts of my soul, I tenaciously want to love on my boy.

Nothing brings me more satisfaction than to pour into my Man and to complement and compliment him for the rest of my life. He is my gift and I want to live this year loving him and serving him better than I did last year. I echo Ruth's dogged loyalty...I will go where Rick goes, I will serve where he serves, I will die where he dies. I will! (Ruth 3:16-18) By the grace of God, I am determined to live out my role as Rick's wife to the best of my ability and heart (Eph. 5:22-24) . I want his heart to fully trust in mine, I want to do him good for the rest of his days, and I want to be priceless to him and him alone (Prov. 31:10-12) !

So, although this is a "New" year's resolution, it's an "Old" priority that I've had for many years now. It's progress...not perfection!

One more caveat: I'm reading the book "The Shack," and the author challenges the thought of having "priorities." He says that instead of seeing priorities as a pyramid with God at the top, we should view our priorities, rather, as a mobile...with God at the center of everything we prioritize; that my priority of my marriage should always include God as being pervasive throughout. I would agree wholeheartedly. God shouldn't be compartmentalized; He should be in and of everything I am and do.

Now, if you please, click on my music playlist on the right side of this site and listen to the song by Celine Dion, "Because You Loved Me." I dedicate this song to my wonderful hubby!

I Want to Run, but it's Raining Out

Ever have those moments or days when you wish you could go strong, run hard, tackle much, conquer all? Maybe your mind is chomping to accomplish, to press forward, to move past something, but is stopped by the physical limitations of your body. Or perhaps your emotional and spiritual state is too low to get moving. Even the inverse can happen - where you physically want to accomplish, exercise, tackle the unimaginable, but you're stopped by the mind being too cluttered, stressed, distracted. Or maybe your emotional and spiritual state once again hinder you from making those necessary steps.

Right now I wish I could go for a run. I need the exercise, my mind loves the space that running brings, I like the spiritual enrichment I get from my ipod music and teachings while I run, and I've actually got the time (which isn't always there!). But it's raining outside and it's just not going to happen! I just can't run right now. Hear my sighs and whines. Play the violin for me. Bummer!

I suppose, just like in life, there are seasons to live out. Seasons of waiting, seasons of trusting, seasons of pain, seasons of trial, seasons of believing, seasons of hoping, and seasons of enduring. In the end, the momentary hesitancy was never as long as it may have felt. And the sun will shine bright again and I'll be able to run.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so beautifully says that there is a time for every event under the sun. Relax, the pavement will clear soon enough! I can hardly wait.

Snow Blast '08 (New Year's Eve!) at Pinecrest!

Our first annual Snow Blast trip to Pinecrest with church family! Boy, do we know how to have fun! With the sights of our sledders, the sounds of laughter, the feeling of cold snow on a sunny day, and the smells and taste of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, we made our mark on the mountain! What a super way to end out the year! Won't you join us next year?

Happy "New" Year with the Same "Old" Priorities

Ringing in the New Year had its own unspoken twist, yet I always love a sense of humor as well as welcoming in a fresh start. Something about a clean slate brings all of us human beings to a smile and a deep breath of hope. Can't you relate? Isn't it amazing to think that we ALWAYS can find that hope and forgiveness in Christ Jesus? His death on the cross brought me true life! Wowzer and Woot Woot! If you know Him personally, you understand what I'm talking about. If you're still searching for real answers to life's tough questions, you might be scratching your head a bit, wondering how I could feel so "certain." It truly is thrilling to open up the Bible, reading and searching for this "Jesus" that people talk about, and in the end finding Him (Jesus) to be the One True Hope and Fulfillment in life. Nothing else will truly satisfy. May you know this peace.

Though we're now in a "New" year, I find that each year brings about the desire and goal-setting for the same "Old" priorities.

Priority #1 - to pursue a deeper relationship with God, never being satisfied with mediocrity, and wanting to be ever caught-up in the perfection and beauty of my Almighty "Daddy." The more I get to know Him, the more I love Him and the less concerned I am with my own shortfalls and pitfalls. He's totally (and perfectly) faithful to me no matter what! So how will I work on this priority? Well, by "old-fashioned" ways...by reading the Bible, by praying, by going to church and spending time with other believers, by worshiping Him in the everyday routines of life, by sharing Him and His love with others around me. That's how. Concentrated effort and focus on Him, my highest priority and love. I learned last year some very important lessons about focus, about where I spend my time, about what I let into my mind, and about where I choose to love. What I put IN really does come OUT. And though there are so many cool and curious things to explore and experience in this world, it is vitally essential that God remain my highest exploration. In the end, nothing else matters. What a treasure and prize He is to me.