Love. True Love.

"...we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done."  Psalm 78:4b

There is something about read favorite books and telling stories over and over again, especially true stories of God's faithfulness, that build a strong foundation into our kids' lives.  Our crew is very familiar with the way God has worked our love story, and we all look forward to January 13, our "proposal-versary" because it means rocky road ice cream.

For Christmas this year, Aaron asked for money to pay for a cabin at a state park, anticipating the opportunity to celebrate twenty-two years of wearing his diamond on my finger.  Our moms financed our mini-marriage retreat (including finishing up with lunch at a restaurant after we ate leftovers in the cabin!), and we're so grateful.

 We always want to be intentional about how we spend our time away, and this year we chose to read "What Did You Expect:  Redeeming the Realities of Marriage" and to watch the accompanying video series.  So practical and lots of fodder for conversation between us.  We highly recommend this material, no matter if you are only beginning to think about dating or if you have been married for fifty years.

Most likely, we won't have cold weather or a romantic cabin next year when January 13 rolls around, but that's okay, we're used to sweating and smooching as we pass each other in the hall.  We know that circumstances change, but God doesn't.

To be "filled with the Spirit", then is to live a life of joy, sometimes quiet, sometimes towering.  Truths about God's glory and Jesus's saving work are not just believed with the mind but create inner music (Ephesians 5:19) and an inner relish in the soul....And because the object of this song is not favorable life circumstances (which can change) but rather the truth and grace of Jesus (which cannot), this heart song does not weaken in times of difficulty.

~Tim Keller, "The Meaning of Marriage"