My husband and I had such a sweet weekend together. We left our kiddos with my mother and went to Gainsville, Georgia to a marriage conference hosted by the church we attend now. Two days and two nights away from our kiddos, leaving the twins over night was a first. I cried when we pulled out of our driveway and I watched all my babies wave good bye to us. To be honest though I expected it to be much harder leaving them but I know they were in awesome hands and I actually let myself enjoy my husband all to myself. ;)
We had time to talk, dance, meet new people, go out and be together and even sleep without having to wake up! Although I will admit I felt guilty for not getting up to check on the kids in the middle of the night lol. I woke up feeling like I was in a debate all night, like I knew I could sleep but at the same time I kept having this guilty feeling hat I should have woken up to go and see them. (Maybe one day I'll learn to sleep "normal" again.)
My marriage takeaways from the weekend. Just keep going, through the good, the bad and the mundane, just keep going and growing even if it's a slow process. I will have my children with me for a while but then they will grow up and leave the house. But my husband will be there now and when they are gone. I'm so happy we had the privilege to invest into each other. I feel so much more connected, loved and strengthened to keep living, loving and enjoying my beautiful family. Marriage is an image of our Heavenly Father, and I want to bring honor to Him with my marriage. If I can't love and serve my husband whom I can see, how can I love and serve Christ whom I can't see.
If someone says, "I love God. "But hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 1 John 4:20
By putting my husband first in my life I am putting Christ first. But at the same time I can't pour into my husband without being at the feet of Jesus first and being filled his love. I know people are watching even when I don't realize it. So I want to be known for loving and respecting my husband unconditionally as a witness to the world around me. I want to have individuality in our personal lives yet be united together as one. Have equality yet everything be in order in the home.
Without love, commitment and forgiveness we probably wouldn't be here today and I'll be forever greatful to God for helping us through the hard beginning years of our marriage. My sweet husband told me today that he is happy to be on the other side and have this more mature love that we share. It made me so happy to know his commitment to me is secure. And that we can work together to be a living testimony to others. We started off our marriage by daily praying that God would give us a heavenly marriage, so that we can be a witness of what he wants with his bride. I'm so excited to finally be able to be living it out. We all have our days and moments and we're still human but when we each die to self and live to serve each other it doesn't get much better then that!
I know that some of you might be thinking "well if I could go some place like that, then things might get better" but honestly I can't pinpoint what exactly I've learned so extravagantly new this weekend. I'm pretty sure I've heard most of what was said before either the Lord speaking to me or through books or broadcasts. And in all eight years of our marriage this is the first marriage conference we've attended. Through all the years it was Gods help, fasting and prayer as well as surrounding myself with the right influences and mentors in my life, that we made it through the hard times. So if you aren't able to do a weekend getaway then it's ok God is still there with you and can help you right where you are. I had to be intentional about finding good friends and educating my self by reading or listening to resources, there are soo many things out there that can help you grow. Find them and use them!
A few tips- Don't forget to communicate, even though I know how hard that can be with kids around. So many times I get on his case because I either think he knows what I'm thinking or I've already told him in my head so he must remember what I said right!? Lol NO! Just talk things over with each other and don't forget to start the sentence with, I feel or I thought I told you... And above all don't forget to love you spouse as yourself ;) that will make all the difference.
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them. Mathew 7:12a
This weekend I cried, laughed till my tummy hurt and got to look my precious, beloved husband into the eyes and remember once again why we are doing life together. But none of that could have happened without the help of my amazing parents so I just want to say a huge thank you to my mom and dad for making this weekend happen for us! Mom and Dad you are the best! We love you so much! Thank you for investing into our little family :)
Lots of eating out and no cooking yay! 😊
Hearing Pastor Robert Morris live again was a special treat :)