Embracing Him

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

Football season officially began Thursday evening as the New York Giants defeated my husband’s beloved Washington Redskins 16-7. However, today is the NFL’s opening Sunday.

I’m a football fan too, so I don’t mind it when JT settles down in front of the television to watch the games. As I’ve watched countless football games over the past several years, I’ve learned lots about the game and a few things about my Christian walk as well.

1. Keep the ball moving. Whether passing or running, it’s important to keep the ball moving forward. Likewise, God doesn’t want us to stand still. He has work for us to do and plan for our lives and it’s crucial to keep moving forward. If we’re not moving forward, it’s impossible to reach our goals.
2. Don’t step out of bounds. It’s always frustrating to see one of your team’s players ruin a promising play because he stepped out of bounds. Sometimes this is due to lack of focus and other times the player is pushed out of bounds. God’s will is similar to the boundary lines in a football game. We need to keep our eyes focused on God so that we don’t stray from His will for our lives. In addition, we must not allow other forces to cause us to step outside of the will of God. It is only when we stay in God’s will that we are able to win the game.
3. Pay attention to the playbook. The football playbook is an instruction manual assembled by the coaching staff detailing the various plays to be used throughout the game. No football game can be played well unless the players have studied the playbook. As Christians, we must understand our playbooks too. God’s Holy Word, the Bible, contains everything we need for success. All we need to do is read the book daily, study its contents, and follow its principles.
4. No one is in the game alone. In order to make a successful football team everyone has to work together. Though we often sing the praises of the quarterback and wide receivers, corners, tight ends, and punters are also valuable team members. Likewise, God recognizes the value of each of us and doesn’t see any one of us as more important than the others. His desire for us is to work together as a team to spread the gospel and build up His kingdom.

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