relationship tune-up

Chris and I are traveling again this week (it's really getting old, too - ask me sometime about our first night's hotel experience in Branson - unbelievable!). However, this time it's not for missions or even for ministry, and not even for a family vacation - it's for our marriage relationship.

We're in Branson, MO for a marriage conference just for pastors, sponsored by the Smalley Relationship Center here. After reading so many books by Dr. Gary Smalley, Dr. Gary Chapman ("The Five Love Languages") and even guests Ed & Lisa Young and John & Nancy Ortberg, it was terrific to hear them in person. Even more importantly, this was the first time in our almost-34-years together that we've taken time-out for a tune-up for our own marriage. And our relationship with each other is a lot more important than a smooth-running car!!!

These few days have been good for us - not only for the principles we're hearing and re-learning again (some that we've taught thru the years - funny how we forget to practice what we preach, huh?), but also for the chance to take time for us. We just returned from a "date night" that was built into the conference schedule, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, keeping romance alive.

I didn't say any of this to boast, but to encourage you to take some time soon for the important relationship(s) in your life - married or single, it's important that you not take things for granted, but take some time for some extended, deep conversations with the people you love - reconnect; catch-up; mend some fences; do-whatever-you-need-to-do to get the motor of your relationship purring again. Trust me, you'll both be glad you did. See you soon-