I mentioned before that Chris and I took a weekend without the kids. I know to some people, the idea of leaving kids behind and stealing away together is selfish or unnecessary. But one of my passions is to affirm to people the true importance of the marriage over the family. As with most people, Chris and I have a high value for family. We have and continue to make many sacrifices and deliberate steps to ensure our home is loving and steady. One of the ways we do this is for them to see that Chris and I continue to place each other first. My kids grow in confidence as they see Chris and I walk out a loving relationship.
When Chris and I were young in marriage, I realized just how easy it was to let life run away with my time. It’s easier to simply devote myself wholly to my kids and forsake my “first love”. The one I started the family with in the first place. Without him, there would be no “us”.
I also observed other marriages, I would notice when it seemed hard for a married couple to remain happily wed once the distraction of children had left the home. Sometimes, a married couple uses the children as a buffer of sorts. That buffer can be used to cover years and years of bitterness and disappointment. They can be used to avoid change in our own hearts. But it was never meant to be this way. God didn’t give us family so we could avoid His hand working in the beautiful soil of our hearts. No, He wanted the whole process of relationship and walking through the unfolding of life to refine us. He wants to use it to reflect His love onto the earth. Marriage is about a man and wife, first and foremost.
Can you see how this parallels with our walk with Jesus?
So often we can become far more distracted and concerned with everyone else’s needs and forsake our own growth. We were never meant to stop evolving in His Presence. His mercies are new every morning. The fact that He said this, convinces me that I will need new mercy every day.
Time away with God makes me stronger.
In the same way I steal away with Chris, I should steal away with God. With the same intentionality that I sow into my marriage, I should sow into my First Love. Without Him there would be nothing else.
God, continually draw my heart to Yours. Like a magnet, draw me always toward Your Presence. I surrender to Your hand in my life, once again. Mold me. I am Yours, in Jesus name, amen.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
365 Days in the Presence 