Who Am I, And Who Are You?

   Yesterday, we said good-bye to our youngest as she headed back to Southern California, after having helped us bury our middle child. Suddenly, and finally, we were alone. Now what?!?

   My husband and I have been very intentional, over the past couple of years, learning how to reconnect. We realized that although we lived together for over 30 years, we had become two completely different people. We had been living parallel lives. When we braved gazing further down the road, we realize that our paths would never intersect again unless we changed something. We had to come up with a plan to join again as partners. This wasn't an easy process.

   It didn't take Jeff and I long to discover that we had somehow become polar opposite. We couldn't think of anything we agreed upon or even liked to do together. Was this, indeed, a new discovery, or had we always been this way? Did we ever have anything in common? What caused us to be attracted to and marry each other in the first place? It was hard to even think back over so many years. Harder still to find a resolution. I am happy to say, determination and love, although not just feelings, can be very effective motivators.

   All of that happened several years ago. We eventually found areas where we could venture into each other's territories, places we could sacrifice for the sake of connection. We learned about each other's strengths and fears. We discovered that we didn't need to be identical, to get along, we just needed to appreciate the differences in each other. To value the perspective the other one had. Our favorite analogy was that of a dollar bill. It's one dollar, intended for one purpose, but if you described either side of the bill, it would sound like two entirely different pieces of paper. We are that dollar bill. Two entirely different people, designed to fit together for some purpose. Now to discover our purpose.

   So, yesterday began a new journey for us. We are now completely in Papa God's hands and totally dependent on His provision, direction, and strength. This is a place of total trust. This is where "faith" becomes more than just a cliche used in churches. This is where we discover who we truly are, at the core, and where we learn to cling to the attributes in each other. This is a place every married couple should venture into before they find themselves alone, wondering if they have anything in common anymore. This is marriage.

   Just so you know... Our day ended up being one of the best we'd ever had. We took advantage of this beautiful place we call home, and turned it into a honeymooner's paradise. I can't wait to see what adventures are waiting for us today.