Paul and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary this weekend. A couple from our church gifted us a weekend away in Port Aransas, Texas. We were both greatly anticipating this time away for just the two of us. You see, I’ve never been one of those moms that has a hard time leaving her kids for a weekend. I have always prided myself on the fact that I have, what I feel like, are good boundaries in that area because Paul is always who I desire to spend the majority of my time with. It hit me this weekend though. That feeling of longing for my boys, and I was ticked!
Everywhere around us were little kids with their families. I found myself at one point, sitting on the beach, staring at this dad and his two sons playing in the water. The older one was wrestling with the dad and the younger one and then the dad would pick up the younger boy and run from the older one, teasing him and throwing wet sand at him as he ran away. ”Wouldn’t the boys be having so much fun if they were here?” I found myself thinking. “Stop it! You are here as a wife, not a mom!”
And then at the pool, there was this extended family that looked like two sets of cousins were there, and this older boy, about 16, was playing with his younger cousin, I think, who was probably around 10. I found myself daydreaming, yet again, about how that was the age difference between Kaleb and our soon-to-be little one and wondering if Kaleb would enjoy little brother as much as that kid in the pool was enjoying spending time with his cousin. And on it went. And it would have been fine if that is where it ended, but with these two scenarios came a since of longing in me for my babies.
Such is the battle we fight for our marriages at times. I am not just a mom. I am a wife. My husband is my second love (second to the Father) and he deserves my heart, my attention, my devotion. What a fight we face to turn our hearts our husbands’ direction instead of giving them completely to our kids. The Lord established this order for a reason and I know that he honors our efforts towards that end. Usually, I pray before I ever leave town, for God to help me enjoy my time away from my kids to rejuvenate or focus on Paul, and He always answers. I totally forgot to prepare my heart and mind for this weekend, and it was apparent!
Needless to say, everything went amazing in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed my time away with my husband, even if I did kiss my boys a little too much when we got back!
Ladies, hug your man today. He deserves your attention!
