19 Years

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19 years…
Trials and Triumph
Joys and Sorrows
Laughter and Tears

19 years…
Ups and Downs
Highs and Lows
Plenty and Want

19 years…
Constant
Steady
Reliable

19 years…
Excitement
Adventure
Frivolity

Happy Anniversary to the man who still makes me laugh, who still brings a smile to my face, even when I don’t feel like smiling.  Happy Anniversary to the man who shows me what love and commitment look like when done well.  I wouldn’t trade a single moment of these

19 Years.

 

Hubby and I on our 15th Anniversary

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The Pillow Experiment

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My husband and I have been having an issue in the bedroom.  Before you gasp and quickly leave the page, it’s okay…after all, my mom reads this blog!  Our issue is one of space… or lack thereof.  You see, my husband has become a crowder.  He has tried for weeks now to push me out of bed at least three times a night.  I wake up, my heart pounding as I’m hanging on to the side for dear life, trying not to focus on the fact that my beloved is trying to oust me.

So, last night I devised a brilliant plan.  I decided to put up a divider.  I laid a pillow between us, right down the center of the bed and having flashbacks to when I was younger and would take family vacations and inform my brother he was not to cross the crease in the middle of the seat and venture into my territory, I thusly informed my husband to stay on his side of the bed.

And guess what…he did!  It worked.  Except for one thing.  I was awake most of the night worrying I would cross the line.  I couldn’t get comfortable at all.  I found myself hugging the edge of the bed to make sure I wasn’t too close to the center…as my man snored away beside me, oblivious to my nighttime angst.

Somewhere about 2 a.m. it dawned on me that our Christian walk is not unlike my pillow experiment.  Christ is to be the center of our lives.  He was never meant to function as a divider, separating one from another.  Too often, we view Him as that line we aren’t supposed to cross.  We see Him as holding the rule book, just waiting to scold us if we get too close.  So we hang onto the edge, not wanting to disappoint Him, but not willing to get too close to Him, either.  We forget He wants to have a relationship with us.  He pursues us.  He adores us.

He wants us to trust Him.  He wants us to know we can.

Once I removed the pillow from between my husband and I, a funny thing happened.  I fell asleep and he stayed on his side of the bed.  I’m not sure what that proves about my experiment (I’m way too tired to form a coherent conclusion) but I do know this for sure.  Relationships don’t thrive when we set up walls. That includes our relationship with our Creator.

Are there walls you need to remove in order to build closer relationships?

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A Word for 2013

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I have taken a stand.  For the last few years, I have decided not to make a New Year’s resolution.  Absolutely not going to happen, under any circumstances, no way.  You see, I was tired of feeling like a complete and utter failure by January 3.  I know some people really thrive with the resolution thing, but I unfortunately, am not one of them.

I do, however believe it’s a good idea to reevaluate things once in awhile and the new year seems to lend itself to doing just that.  So instead of resolving, I choose a word for the new year.  Last year my word was STORY and I was amazed at how God used it throughout the year to keep me moving forward and to keep my focus on Him.  And to think, I didn’t really even know what I was going to do with that little word.

Well, this year, true to form, I kept being led to another word that I really am not sure I want to deal with.   It has the potential to open up a lot of unchartered territory.  It has the makings of some big stuff.  It’s a big word, worthy of a drum roll… maybe even some fanfare.

EXTRAVAGANT

As in EXTRAVAGANT worship – no, that doesn’t scare me at all (typed with much sarcasm)
As in EXTRAVAGANT love, giving and receiving.  Realizing and accepting that God loves me extravagantly (easy-peasy, right) and sharing that love with others.
As in EXTRAVAGANT dreams – God has placed some pretty lofty dreams in my heart and speaking them out loud…well…scares me. Maybe courage would’ve been a better word for me.

Well, it’s a good thing I have a year to hash all of this out, right?

I had the privilege of being chosen to participate in the God-Sized Dream Team, created by Holley Gerth. I encourage you to get a copy of her newest book, “The Do What You Can” Plan, (Ebook Shorts): 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better.”  Holley is absolutely darling and has a way of encouraging and challenging you with so much love it kind of oozes out between the lines and before you know it, you’ve been changed.  You won’t be disappointed and it is a great way to start off the new year with direction and purpose and who couldn’t use a little more of that?

2013 Word

 

So, I for one am quite excited to see how God is planning to show off this year.  After all, He is very EXTRAVAGANT…

Do you choose a word for the year?  If so, I’d love to hear it!

 

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