Embracing Him

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Ephesians 4:9-10)

Today JT and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary! During today’s service, the church recognized August wedding anniversaries and presented all couples with roses as the congregation sang an anniversary song. (I so love stuff like that!)

Six years and two children later, JT and I are still dedicated to each other and our marriage remains a top priority. Over the past six years, God has used our marriage to draw us closer to Him and to further develop the fruit of the Spirit within us. Daily God is teaching us both about the importance of doing things His way.

Though we didn’t celebrate privately today, JT and I did enjoy a great Sunday with our girls. We hope to have a belated celebration later this week. Thanks to the generosity of some close friends, JT and I will be enjoying a cozy dinner at a restaurant we’ve been eyeing for a while. (Won’t you join us in praying that the babysitter is free some evening this week?) In the meantime, we’re looking forward to many, many more happy years together!

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

It’s Marriage Monday over at Chrysalis and once again e-Mom given me something to think about. Her motivational topics always light a fire under me and ignite great conversations with my husband. This month, e-Mom has asked us to discuss our husbands’ need for recreational companionship.

Whenever I think of men and recreation, I automatically think of outdoor activities (football, fishing, and such). Generally speaking, I’m not an “outdoorsy” girl. My outdoor exposure is usually limited to a comfy spot under a beach umbrella on the shore or sitting on my front porch enjoy the early evening breeze. (Important note: If the bugs or heat get to be too extreme, my outdoor stint comes to an abrupt end!)

On the other hand, JT is an outdoors, adventurous man. He’s done skydiving, made a home on board an aircraft carrier for months, and climbed mountains. During the nine years we’ve been together, he is S-L-O-W-L-Y bringing me out into the great outdoors through some fun outings!

• Great Falls, Virginia: Early in our relationship, JT took me to this state park where we explored mountain trails and enjoyed quality time together. As I recall I was too busy admiring waterfalls and trying not to slip off the amazing rock formations to be annoyed by insects.

• Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania: JT talked me into trekking around Bushkill Falls and I don’t regret it. It was another time I enjoyed exploring the beauty of God’s earth with JT. Even though he picked the steepest trail for us to attempt, we had a fantastic time together and spent a lot of time holding hands.

• California: This trip was the greatest outdoor fun I’ve ever had with JT! He planned the entire trip and we had an awesome time! After landing in San Diego we spent days traveling up Route 1 and stopping at great places along the way. My favorite part of that trip was our stay in Marina, where we stayed in a bungalow right on the beach. That night we sat on the beach and watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. It was absolutely breathtaking. JT’s favorite part of the trip was watching me do a slow, white knuckled drive up Route 1!

These outings and trips have taught me a few things. First, JT and I have the most fun when he drags me off the beaten path and out into nature. When I step outside my comfort zone and allow him to plan our outings we always have fun. Second, JT and I always engage in quality conversation during these outings because we’re not distracted by the sensory overloads found in typical dates at movies, restaurants, amusement parks, and the like. Third, JT and I need to do a better job of getting out and about. This time together breathes fresh air into our marriage, gives us both something to look forward to, and prevents life from becoming mundane.

Our sixth wedding anniversary is coming up on August 17 and JT is planning a bed and breakfast beach getaway for us. We’re both looking forward to this special time, a chance to enjoy each other’s company uninterrupted in nature.

To read other what other women have to say about men and play, be sure to visit Chrysalis over at her blog.

Photo: Courtesy of brendajo2

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)

This past weekend, JT and I were doing some yardwork. (Actually JT was doing most of the work but I did check in with an occasional word of encouragement and a beverage.) At one point, the girls and I stepped out of the house to see how he was doing. JT was busy hedging along the side of the house. After checking in with him, we turned to go back into the house but before I could get in the door, the hedger fell silent and I heard JT say, “Aww, no!”

I zipped back around to the side of the house to see what was wrong. JT simply said, “Could you please go into the house and see if the phone is working?” I went in, checked the telephone, and found there was no signal. Call me clueless, but I still didn’t realize why JT was asking me to check the phone until I got back outside. I told him the phone wasn’t working and he said, “I didn’t think it would. I accidentally cut the phone line.”

Though my temper sometimes flares, I didn’t get upset or angry with JT. I knew he was already annoyed with himself and I didn’t want to make him feel worse. Besides that, it would have been so wrong of me to criticize him! After all, JT has stood silently and hugged me lovingly as I told him how I’d broken off the car’s side view mirror (more than once!) while pulling into the garage. JT never uttered one word of condemnation when I shattered the window of the new minivan with the stroller that had slipped from my hands as I unhooked it from the ceiling of the garage.

After placing a service call to the telephone company, I thought about how I had responded to JT’s mistake and was proud of the way I’d handled the situation. I didn’t fly off the handle and exacerbate the situation with angry words. I didn’t belittle my husband by offering sarcastic remarks.

Sometimes my temper flares and I handle situations improperly. Over the past several months, I’ve been praying that God would help me use the fruits of the spirit to guide my actions. God has seen my weaknesses and has been answering that prayer. In Ephesians 4:32, we are reminded to be kind, loving, and forgiving in our interactions with one another.

What a shame it would been for me to sever communication with my husband while I seethed about a telephone line he had accidentally cut! Telephone lines can quickly and easily be repaired, but the real lines of communication often take much longer to restore, especially after they’ve been damaged by thoughtless behavior and unkind words. I pray we all will let the words of Ephesians 4:32 guide our interactions with others!