Wow! Another summer has flown by, and school will be starting soon. This summer I was determined to be more intentional with my time. I wanted to be present with my family and 3 little neighbor girls. I would work at night so I could spend more time with the girls, and since my hubby works at night it worked. We spent time at the pool, park, Bible study and plenty of slumber parties. I would say it has been a success.
But I was not successful at spending time with my husband. He works 2 jobs, so it's difficult to find "us" time. I shared this with a girl friend and she shared with me that they had started praying together EVERY night! She said, "We have a book that we use, and it has made it easy, but it has really connected us." Hmm, I thought, really??
So we gave it a try. I ordered the book. When it arrived I would say I was underwhelmed. The book is so small I can put it in a coat pocket! But we have been committed to it. I will say for us, it is difficult because Geoff works at the airport at night. But every night at 8:30 we have a phone date, and we pray together using this $10 book as a guide.
It has led to some great conversations and a time for us to share what is on our hearts. Sometimes it does feel rushed, but this is our life right now. We are not perfect people and this is helping us see we need Him more everyday. We also see the need to be connected with each other, and if it's only a 10 minute phone conversation, so be it! Right now for us it's the most important spiritual discipline we are doing together. It is helping us with intimacy, conflict (no, it is not a cure all), transparency and fear. It is binding us together.
Colossians 3:13-14 says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in unity."
We feel God is honoring this in our marriage. If we miss a day, we do not give up because tomorrow is another day. That's the great thing about God! He gives us unlimited free do overs, and we are thankful for that. He is the God of second chances, and more. He is the God of fresh starts, clean slates, new chapters, another day, and hope.