Next thing I hear is “Oh God, I’ve been mugged!”

Given my husband sounded like he was more amused than freaked out I didn’t rush around the corner, in part because if it were real I figure he’s the man. He oughta handle it. After a moment I heard friendly voices and so decided it was safe to come out and see what was going on.

Turns out we were indeed mugged!

It’s a funny thing to say we judge the churches we attend, but its true. As Alex and I have searched for a church one of the criteria we’ve looked for is how open they are to new members. I.E. What do they do to welcome you? The sermon I brought up the other day is from the church that “mugged” us last night. We’ve attended three services to date so this was a nice incentive to come on back.

What has made you feel positive about a new group or church?

Really creative title huh? I thought so too. (please note the sarcasm. I don’t have a sarcastic face, but I need one.) 

It was a pretty good weekend despite the rain. Although, given my other option was snow based on the news I’m very grateful for the continuous drizzle we had.

Saturday I drove down to south of Atlanta where I met up with my good friend Shelly. We had lunch together, which is something I wish we could do more of, and then wandered the shops and talked. It was great to see and talk to her. Especially given the pulling back I’ve done emotionally these last few months while dealing with many personal issues. Every time we visit I’m reminded why we lived together in college – she is definitely one of those life-long friends!

Sunday was a lazy day. It was GLORIOUS! I literally sat / laid on my arse and did absolutely nothing. No laundry. No cooking. Nothing. Those days are super rare for me, so I’m glad I managed to squeeze one in this weekend. Granted part of the reason I did this was because I was exhausted. I should have known it wasn’t going to be a simple need of extra sleep.

Today I’ve been sucking on these little suckers wishing my sinuses would drop dead. I don’t know what happened or what when through work / home etc. I.E. I don’t know who to blame. But I’m OVER the runny nose thing. Although, I’m starting to develop a taste for cough drops.

(The dancing has caused some strange looks in the office at work, but this gal can sure cut a chair.)

I would say that about 99% of why I’m in such a great mood is yesterday. The holiday I normally dread turned out to be FANTASTIC.

I’m still not sure how, and I don’t really care, but when I got up to go to work I noticed the most lovely bunch of flowers with a card and box sitting on our kitchen counter.

The box had a beautiful pair of heart earrings in it because Alex knows I prefer white gold and only had a pair of yellow gold ones prior to this. I’d put a picture on but I’ve yet to take them out since I opened the box and the few I’ve tried to take look bad because my ears look retarded. So no pictures YET!

THEN … at work around noon I got a text telling me to leave work on time. (I tend to stay a little late here lately.) Why? Because my sweetie MADE RESERVATIONS! Oh.My.Goodness. Y’all I teared up on the way home because I felt so special all dang day.

I’ll say this, Alex kicked my butt this year with regards to Valentine’s Day. I got all of that, and he got a painted bathroom. One he had to help me finish painting.

Clearly I need to step up my game. How was your holiday?

The service was OK, but the important part, the sermon, really hit home for both of us. The sermon was entitled “Lesson’s I’ve learned as a Husband (and Wife)” and was shared by the associate Pastor and his wife at the church we attended.

They each shared lessons they had learned about choices you make in your marriage. Choices like not allowing simple frustrations (housework) and potential other priorities (your job) to take your focus off of each other. The truth is children, work, house, friends, family, etc should not be the center of your universe. They are not intended to be your number one anything. Based on the bible, God should be #1 and followed by that is your spouse.

The prayer “Dear Lord, help us to be the spouses you want us to be. Form us into the kind of spouse that is a JOY to our mates, honoring both them and Jesus in our WORDS, DEEDS, and LIFE…Help others, whether married or single, to see that our spouses are indeed our best friends and trusted partners in the ministry of our families.” hit home for me personally. As I sat beside Alex in service, I could tell he too was struck by the messages we were receiving.

I can’t tell you what he was thinking beyond “It all really hit home” because that’s he’s explained to me. I can say that for me the lesson about respecting your husband was reiterated.

I truly believe that the husband should be the “leader” in the relationship. He may not be the money maker, but he is the provider. He can provide by living out the ways you respect, honor, and live God’s word in his relationship with his wife and children. On the other hand, I, as a wife, need to respect my husband. That means growing in trust, growing in actions, and then living out these changes.

As Valentine’s Day comes upon us, I’m glad we were both able to hear this message. I have no doubt we each walked away with different thoughts, but in the end those differences are what brings us together as husband and wife.