Ficticious cries

I tried to come up with a clever title, oh well. Today I have discovered a little routine in marriage. Mark is the type of guy who likes to think out loud. At least once a week I hear, "Oh Gosh!" or a sharp gasp from the other room. This generally leads me to saying "what happened!?", with all the care and concern a wife can have. I imagine that he has hurt himself or something TERRIBLE has happened. But, this is never the case. He usually has forgotten that he is teaching an extra student the following day or he is meeting with a friend in the next half hour. He gets me every time.

The disciplined glow

I've noticed when I take time away from scripture, my heart and mind become irritable and I am not fun to be around. When I am consistent with my quiet times, my spirit feels lighter and I am more approachable. If I start my day with Him, I feel like some sort of radiance is pulsing through my veins, it's as if God himself is shining in my being, (even through my blood stream).

I've discovered similarities in other ways that I take care of this temple. Some weeks I am a consistent runner.  The effort I put into my exercise brings a healthy glow to my countenance and I can feel a lightness in my step. (Running also brings about extra quiet time for prayer as well as pushing myself physically to run to that tree and then to that bridge and then to the next fence and then...)
Sometimes I can let myself get stressed out over all the "necessary" items I think I should worry about. This leads to me sitting on the couch surfing the web and vegging out on nothing of importance. Going for a run or picking up my bible can be one of the last things on my list, which is bad.

Today I was reading the book of Acts and I wondered if the disciples ever had sore throats or runny noses while doing the Lord's work. I know this was a silly thought to think but I honestly wondered if God gave them spiritual vitamin C, or if Peter had a cold while healing hundreds of people in Jesus name. I guess I'm thinking about the cold season and I'm sure that being human they had the strength to accomplish the Lord's work despite any ailments. I also wondered the other day if Peter cared that he was slower than John. John 20:4 "Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first."
I'm also trying to be disciplined in my running so I can keep up with the husband. He is very consistent in his quiet times and his running and I admire him for it. He does a great job leading by example and I am very blessed by the way he takes care of himself.

Dear Moriah

This little note is to tell Moriah Saba that I love her dearly. Thanks for being a lovely friend. I love our friday dates and blog swaps. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

love

Jenny.

A Peace that Surpasses All Understanding

   Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."


This verse was on my heart and mind the entire weekend and Monday. I thought that God was using this verse to comfort me with all the recent family and school concerns. Little did I know that God was using this verse in another way.

I'm currently reading a book called "The Excellent Wife". There is a study that goes with this book and I am excited about the work that God is doing in me through this study. Of course, when I first got married, I naively believed that I would never be stressed or get irritated with my husband. I also didn't realize that I could change my attitude. Let me mention that I had been irritated before I was married (<--this may sound sarcastic but I'm pointing out the obvious for myself), but because Mark and I were so in sync I thought that perhaps I would not have to work so hard at my attitude. I was completely wrong. The book that I'm reading and the scriptures that I have studied describe how a wife should treat her husband, and I will always have work to do on myself.

The other day I took a break from my studies and decided to go for a run, I love to get prayer time in on the Davis green belt. I did the classic Jessie Stein trick where I tied the hallway key to my shoe lace and then left the front door unlocked since I would only be gone a short time. I had a glorious time running. The day was warm and beautiful. Philippians 4:6-7 kept running through my head, especially 7, and I kept asking God why this verse was so important to meditate on. I got home to get ready for our date that night. I untied my shoe lace and walked up the stairs and through the hallway. I tried to turn the knob to the door of our apartment but it wouldn't go. I tried again, hearing our little cat Dwight meow inside. I was sure I left it unlocked, why was the door not opening? And I realized, my husband must have come home from work for a short break. I found my insides starting to bubble with slight irritation and I stopped. That verse crept back into my head and it made me smile. My brain and heart are telling me that I have every right to be irritated but the peace of God is asking me to let go. I do not need to get upset about this.  Mark would be home in twenty five minutes or so, why don't I sit outside and enjoy this day that the Lord has made? I had the opportunity to talk with a few neighbors as I patiently waited on the lawn by our apartment. Mark came home and was surprised to see me sitting on the lawn. He asked me what I was doing outside. I told him I was enjoying a little gift. He realized that he had locked the door while I was out running and I watched as sadness and disappointment spread quickly over his face. I insisted that I had a beautiful time outside and that this experience was a hidden gift from him. It took a little time but he eventually forgave himself. I think it was hard for him to stay mad at himself since I was obviously not upset by it; imagine for a minute if I had gotten irritated with him. Sometimes we cause  unnecessary pain on those we love, and even on ourselves. We all need a peace that surpasses our own understanding and I think that involves some humility and love too.

Prayer for a dear wife

 My dear grandmother is in the hospital currently healing from surgery for a lesion in her brain. Dad has told me that the results aren't exactly as they'd hoped. I was planning on flying out there to be a comforter for my dad but he said to wait since it wasn't the best timing for gram. Mark and I have been praying a lot for her and my family.
 My grandparents relationship has always inspired me to be forever "young" and in love. They counseled us last summer before getting married and I was so happy to be around those lovebirds and glean every bit of magic so one day I could have a marriage like theirs. I loved to watch them play cards and I especially loved to hear their conversations, the agreements as well as the disagreements. I would laugh countless times because my grandpa always has such witty remarks that win everyones affection, including grandma's which was apparent to me because of the way she would laugh. Last night as I lay down to go to sleep next to my husband, I could not help but think of my grandpa. I admire him for what a great husband he is to her and I pray that God would surround him with family and love during this time and for whatever time is to come. I'm so grateful for my grandmother and I pray that God be with my family no matter what the outcome is after this surgery.
These scriptures below remind me of what a treasure my grandmother is.


 "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord." Proverbs 18:22
      
Proverbs 19:14 "Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, 
       but a prudent wife is from the Lord."

       Proverbs 31:10-12

"A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.

  Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.

 She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life."