Soul Sisters

Tomorrow, just one more sleep away from now, I will be en route to visit my sister. I am excited, nervous, and thrilled at the same time as we will be without spouses, children, or other general responsibilities. This has never happened before and I am unsure of when it may ever happen again. Which is why it had to happen now. She delights my heart whenever we meet and catch up. She loves God and so do I so our sisterhood is held together with a strong soul tie. It's beautiful, challenging, and something I am happy to know in my life. Certainly I have friends who have become my sisters is every possible way except biological. We are bound together with the scarlet cord of Jesus' shed blood for our sins. And that makes us soul sisters.

God, thank You so much for the blessing of sisters who share a common purpose and faith in You. Thank You for a sister who loves You and cherishes my heart as much as I cherish hers. Please protect the sweet love and friendship that I have with my soul sisters and keep us always in each others thoughts and prayers. Amen.

Foil-Covered Cardboard

The scene was like this: Hubby-Dad was helping the kids make stuff while I was working out burning 400+ calories on the treadmill. It's a beautiful partnership and I do love how resourceful he is at making fun with the kids. He entered the garage a couple of times to retrieve tape so I knew they were still busily creating. So I should have been appreciative and happy when I saw the epic result of his toil. A fantastic shield with trim and a crest on the front. Instead I saw foil. I know we've been out of foil for a few weeks, now, and I was sure I had used up the last and threw the remnants away. So I asked where the foil was found, to which he replied that there was a square of foil-covered cardboard in the pantry. I instantly knew the piece he was referring to, as it had been the base for a spectacular gingerbread castle we had built one Christmas holiday. A somewhat tense dialogue followed and I ended up hurting his feelings. Yes, I should have been grateful that he had invested time and attention to our kids. Instead, I was overly concerned about my aluminum-wrapped principles of thrifty ideals.

Oh God, unwrap my values and reveal the plain unimportant expectations that lie within. Help me let go of those things that really don't matter nearly as much as the worth of a devoted father spending priceless time with his children. Thank you for Your shield of faith that reminds me to trust You in all things, and to understand that You value time with us above all the gift that You may graciously bestow upon us.

In Jesus' name. Amen.