Missing the Friday Night Date . . . psalm 139:17-18
My ninth grader recently asked about "dating." I know a little something about that . . . it was more than just going out like to wolf down a meal or meeting someone at the movie theater (although some people do call those events dates). But my definition going back to college of a date is an event that both I and my date had scheduled well in advance, where we were both excited with anticipation about going, and I would both pick her up from her place beforehand and I would take her home afterward. That's it, that's my definition of a date. Basically, it is a really special occasion that I think about a lot and plan and that brings joy to both of us.
Most marriage counselors recommend that married couples continue to "date" each other to keep the spark alive between them. And from time to time, definitely too infrequently, my lovely wife of over two decades and I plan out dates that we go on (it's much easier these days now that our kids, now high school and college aged, can be responsible for themselves). When you're in love with someone, you can't stop thinking about that special someone.
Now, here is the point (I'm sure that everyone who has ever been married has experienced this) . . . what happens when for one reason or another I have to beg out of the Friday night date with my wife? Whether it's due to work, or something coming up with one of the kids, or I'm too tired, or car problems, or whatever! If I miss the date for any reason, does that affect our marriage? Does my wife then love me any less? These are rhetorical questions because the answer is clearly, no.
So, then, what happened? To sum it up in one word . . . nothing. That's just it. Nothing happens, except that I missed out on an incredible opportunity to have fun with my beloved, to laugh and to share and to relate on an intimate level. Finally, it has dawned on me, that that is what happens when I fail to have a morning quiet time with Jesus, my personal Savior & Lord. When I wake up too late or I get busy with the chores of the day or I spend too much time reading over the sports page of the newspaper, then I miss it. It doesn't change my relationship with God, i.e. my status of being adopted into God's family. It doesn't lessen God's love toward me, not one iota. But when I skip the quiet time, then I miss out on an incredible opportunity to have fun with my beloved, to laugh and to share and to relate on an intimate level. Sound familiar? It should, because I'm learning through my own marriage something about what it is like to be part of the "bride of Christ".
Here is how the Most High God expresses His love for me: How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. psalm 139:17-18
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. isaiah 55:8-9
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. jeremiah 29:11-13
© S. Chan, 2004. All rights reserved.
Most marriage counselors recommend that married couples continue to "date" each other to keep the spark alive between them. And from time to time, definitely too infrequently, my lovely wife of over two decades and I plan out dates that we go on (it's much easier these days now that our kids, now high school and college aged, can be responsible for themselves). When you're in love with someone, you can't stop thinking about that special someone.
Now, here is the point (I'm sure that everyone who has ever been married has experienced this) . . . what happens when for one reason or another I have to beg out of the Friday night date with my wife? Whether it's due to work, or something coming up with one of the kids, or I'm too tired, or car problems, or whatever! If I miss the date for any reason, does that affect our marriage? Does my wife then love me any less? These are rhetorical questions because the answer is clearly, no.
So, then, what happened? To sum it up in one word . . . nothing. That's just it. Nothing happens, except that I missed out on an incredible opportunity to have fun with my beloved, to laugh and to share and to relate on an intimate level. Finally, it has dawned on me, that that is what happens when I fail to have a morning quiet time with Jesus, my personal Savior & Lord. When I wake up too late or I get busy with the chores of the day or I spend too much time reading over the sports page of the newspaper, then I miss it. It doesn't change my relationship with God, i.e. my status of being adopted into God's family. It doesn't lessen God's love toward me, not one iota. But when I skip the quiet time, then I miss out on an incredible opportunity to have fun with my beloved, to laugh and to share and to relate on an intimate level. Sound familiar? It should, because I'm learning through my own marriage something about what it is like to be part of the "bride of Christ".
Here is how the Most High God expresses His love for me: How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. psalm 139:17-18
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. isaiah 55:8-9
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. jeremiah 29:11-13
© S. Chan, 2004. All rights reserved.