Cooking For Two

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. -- Psalm 34:3 NIV

For the first time in a very, very long time Suzanne and I had to come up with and cook dinner just for the two of us. We decided on taco salad which meant we would need to get a few things from the store. Now, I want you to know that I am not stretching the truth here...I don't remember the last time I went into a store, any store, without spending at least 17 or 18 bucks. Even if it is just to grab a handful of ingredients for dinner. Tonight, we spent 9 and that included a slight splurge on some watermelon to have for dessert. 9? Seriously? Do kids really eat that much???

Cooking just for two proved to be a challenge for Zan too. She normally has to make plenty and send prayers to Heaven that there might be a little left over for tomorrow's lunch. Tonight she made less than usual, piled our bowls to the brim with taco salady goodness, and there is still a mountain of it left for tomorrow.

But it is all good here. We've had a bunch of time tonight between putting horses out, shopping for dinner, checking on Liz's chickens (they're doing fine Liz!) and dogs, and putting our horses up, to really focus on one another. Usually we're busy dealing with hurts or drama from the teenagers or getting them to do their chores. Tonight we're all alone and the house is extremely quiet. No Xboxes running or music blaring or phones ringing constantly and while we miss some of that at least a little and our kids a whole bunch, the time together without a bunch of distractions has been really cool.

What I see here is that we need to make sure we find time even when the kids are back to stay connected and together. Maybe it's a regular date night or just some dedicated pool time together. Could be a little time spent curled up on the couch just talking. Whatever it is...getting away from the TV and the PC and everything else for a while and focusing on each other will make all the difference.

God wants us to stay connected to the people He puts closest to us. They are there to support us and to provide us with His guidance through them. They are there to love us no matter what the rest of the world might say about us or think of us. God is always first, but I believe He gives all of us a second that is to be the other half of our connection with Him, like Jesus says in Matthew...

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Matthew 18:20 NIV

If you have your second, thank God for them and then thank them for remaining loyal and true to you. If you don't have your second, know that God will show them to you when the time is right and pray that you have the eyes to see it when it happens.