The Blessings

I met with a group of women today and we thought about the blessings that we have been given. As we began to list them it was quite obvious that our blessings are relationships we have or maybe even the second chances we have at those relationships. No one listed their house, car, groceries, or anything that would be considered an asset by society's standard. Boy, what an eye opener!

How many of us make our goal each day to gather as much stuff as possible? We know that our relationships are important and even tell ourselves that we are amassing things for the ones we love, but, OUR LOVED ONES WANT US NOT OUR STUFF!

We must stay focused on our relationships. At the end of the day what will really matter to each of us are our relationships. Period.

Here is the question of the day: Have I done all I can to be the best mom, wife, friend, daughter, (you fill in the blank) possible?

The Neverending Story

I find it quite interesting that even after 24 years of marriage Husband and I must still make a concerted effort to communicate. How can it be that conversation can be so illusive? You would think that after sharing our lives together and that of our children for so many years that talking about each day's events and how we feel would be a natural part of our day. But, NOOOO!!!! We must, each day, consciously set aside time to do that very thing, share our souls. What I have found over the last few days is that we are not the only couple that struggles in this area. In fact, there are several couples who have been married for fifteen years or more, that have the same challenge, communication. Well, twelve of us women who desire more than mediocre marriages, have joined forces and over the next six months, will read, discuss, and encourage one another about communication in our marriages.

Personally, I am really excited about this development among my friends. Some who will be in the group are simply acquaintances who need a support group to hold them accountable to trying to have a better marriage. Could this be an underground movement to reinforce family life in our community? Could having better marriages actually make a difference in our neighborhoods? Oh, yes, and even more. When we model healthy marriages that are built on good communication our children and even the kids that simply visit our homes will follow our examples and, yes, even desire strong, sound relationships themselves.

There you go! Two fabulous reasons for putting forth some effort to have good communication with Husband. #1 It's more fun for me to like Husband than to have quiet discord. #2 Everyone around me has more fun (even if they don't know that it is communication that makes life better).

My commitment: Concentrated time (20 minutes or more) to share myself with Husband.

Traveling with Women

I admit it, I stole the title. Our "official" journalist for the trip is going to use this title for our trip journal and it was just too good for me not use. Traveling with women is an event no woman should miss. We went to shop at an annual flea market in Virginia, but, what occured was much more than shopping. We laughed until our sides ached, we cried in reverent pain with each other, we shared our very souls with one other, and trusted that it would be held in high esteem and honored. What I expected was what I was given. A relationship with each woman that will always be special.

These friendships will always be extraordinary because we devoted four days to building this connection. We will always have the memories of a shared view of the Milky Way, a walk through a covered bridge, the thought of "kicking up diamonds", and a hug from Aunt and Uncle at the Old Cox Barn.

We have one thing in common that unifies us from which our bond is founded and it cannot be forged...Christ. He forgave us, saved us, and is the process of transforming us and that is the journey that we share and of which we shall never tire, the magnificent renovating power we see in each other as Christ reveals Himself in our lives. AMEN!!