Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Balanced Health
Two of my primary passions are cooking and eating. For me, the excitement begins by choosing as many fresh and organic ingredients as possible. Then my imagination runs wild as I create most of my own healthy recipes based on the plethora of foods from my kitchen or my own backyard.
If I have three organic chicken breasts, some fresh bell peppers, cilantro, and cheese, then I opt for sizzling fajitas. If I get down to a bare cupboard with flour, sugar, and salt, then I go for some amazing crepes, filled with eggs and cheese (while I send my hubby to the store for some sweet strawberries and whipped cream).
The key is working with what you've already got at home. If you have to run out for ten more ingredients (some that you've never even heard of), you're less likely to cook from home. And that's when take-out starts to sound like a cheaper and better option. But it's not!
The thing about well-rounded but tasteful cooking, is that you have to indulge frequently. Scrumptious consumption occurs by using high quality ingredients, such as organic and responsibly grown fruits and veggies reflecting every color of the rainbow. These colorful choices reward your taste buds while providing healthful antioxidants and vitamins.
But you've got to try new things! Instead of just carrots and broccoli, saute some eggplant and blueberries as well. Add in your favorite meat with some olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; then toss the cornucopia of flavors over some rice or noodles.
The payoff of cooking with decadent ingredients is that you're more likely to savor each bite while also eating less. And when it comes time for dessert, opt for a metered helping of a lavish dessert or you could enhance the dining experience with a larger portion of low-fat sorbet or sherbet. Don't deny yourself, just eat smarter!
Balanced eating affects your overall health. If you nourish your body and mind with the stuff God cares about, then you will stop eating when your body says you are full. You'll also feel more motivated to exercise as you care for God's temple, which is your body (Romans 12).
I have frequently found myself in the trap of eating just because it makes me feel better. Or, I'll go for another soda instead of water because I feel tired. But that's when we need to turn our thoughts over to the Lord. Ask Him to give you self control. Trust Him to give you more energy!
God cares about your eating and exercise habits and wants to give you wisdom about your body and your overall physical and mental health. Take a walk and meditate on God's goodness instead of spending two hours on Facebook. Try to walk away from those menacing M&Ms since you've already eaten two hand-fulls today. Remember that God is your strength:
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).
As you cook with healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients, you will take pride in your culinary masterpieces and will feel good about yourself and God's planet. By choosing great eco-friendly foods, you will never compromise on life's daily indulgences.
Also, remember to surround your table with love, no matter what you're serving. Even when budgets are tight, take heart in this verse from Proverbs:
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred" (15:17).
Finally, as you carefully choose what foods fill your mouth this summer, always TAKE TIME TO PRAISE our KING:
"My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long" (Psalm 71:8).
If I have three organic chicken breasts, some fresh bell peppers, cilantro, and cheese, then I opt for sizzling fajitas. If I get down to a bare cupboard with flour, sugar, and salt, then I go for some amazing crepes, filled with eggs and cheese (while I send my hubby to the store for some sweet strawberries and whipped cream).
The key is working with what you've already got at home. If you have to run out for ten more ingredients (some that you've never even heard of), you're less likely to cook from home. And that's when take-out starts to sound like a cheaper and better option. But it's not!
The thing about well-rounded but tasteful cooking, is that you have to indulge frequently. Scrumptious consumption occurs by using high quality ingredients, such as organic and responsibly grown fruits and veggies reflecting every color of the rainbow. These colorful choices reward your taste buds while providing healthful antioxidants and vitamins.
But you've got to try new things! Instead of just carrots and broccoli, saute some eggplant and blueberries as well. Add in your favorite meat with some olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; then toss the cornucopia of flavors over some rice or noodles.
The payoff of cooking with decadent ingredients is that you're more likely to savor each bite while also eating less. And when it comes time for dessert, opt for a metered helping of a lavish dessert or you could enhance the dining experience with a larger portion of low-fat sorbet or sherbet. Don't deny yourself, just eat smarter!
Balanced eating affects your overall health. If you nourish your body and mind with the stuff God cares about, then you will stop eating when your body says you are full. You'll also feel more motivated to exercise as you care for God's temple, which is your body (Romans 12).
I have frequently found myself in the trap of eating just because it makes me feel better. Or, I'll go for another soda instead of water because I feel tired. But that's when we need to turn our thoughts over to the Lord. Ask Him to give you self control. Trust Him to give you more energy!
God cares about your eating and exercise habits and wants to give you wisdom about your body and your overall physical and mental health. Take a walk and meditate on God's goodness instead of spending two hours on Facebook. Try to walk away from those menacing M&Ms since you've already eaten two hand-fulls today. Remember that God is your strength:
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).
As you cook with healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients, you will take pride in your culinary masterpieces and will feel good about yourself and God's planet. By choosing great eco-friendly foods, you will never compromise on life's daily indulgences.
Also, remember to surround your table with love, no matter what you're serving. Even when budgets are tight, take heart in this verse from Proverbs:
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred" (15:17).
Finally, as you carefully choose what foods fill your mouth this summer, always TAKE TIME TO PRAISE our KING:
"My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long" (Psalm 71:8).
Labels: balance, faith, food, health
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Body Image
Summer is upon us. The fabulous aromas entice our senses: neighborhood barbecues, gently warmed sunscreen, freshly chopped veggies and herbs, and dripping watermelon from our kids' faces. We all look forward to Fourth of July parties, summer vacations, and a plethora of picnics and outdoor family events. The MLB season gets exciting as well with those unexpected trades and a number of surprising upsets (GO PADRES!!!).
But there are some things we dread, like getting into a bathing suit so we can splash around in the pool to avoid the oppressive heat. Or putting on that tight pair of shorts that seemed to be a lot looser last summer. But maybe you're not one of those insecure types; in contrast, you feel incredibly comfortable in your silky smooth skin, which means that your struggle is a bit different. You long for people to notice your sculpted legs and your toned abs. You crave the attention and dress accordingly to show off that new tattoo that decorates your lower back. Or maybe it's that new skin-tight tank that you bought to show off what you've got???
As Christians, we walk a fine line, a tightrope really. Or you could call it a double edged sword. On the one hand, we should be confident in ourselves, certain of who we are in Christ, not caving in to low self esteem. Yet on the other side, we need to be very careful how we express that satisfaction, by representing Christ at all times. If you feel offended so far, please keep reading because God truly does care about the issue of body image in our culture and in our church. So stick with me!
For those who feel depressed because they aren't pretty enough, tall enough, tan enough or whatever else "enough" comes to your mind, you need to rest in your true identity in Christ! You must surrender your heart, body, and mind over to the Lord in order to find immeasurable value from His perfect love. The truth is that Satan wants you to feel like you're a loser. If he can keep you trapped in that lie, then he knows you'll never win. You'll even avoid certain ministry opportunities because you'll think you're inadequate for the job. But remember, you were bought with a price, the one that cost Jesus His life. So don't let the enemy claim that victory. Instead, attack Satan with this Biblical truth:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:14-16).
If that passage isn't enough to get you back on track, start right at the beginning of the Bible and read from Genesis:
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air...' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good..." (from Genesis 1:26, 27, 31).
You are incredibly valuable. You matter to God and you also matter to me and to a ton of other people here at Sandals Church. We care about your heart and not so much about what you look like. You aren't too ugly, too fat, too skinny, or too different looking to worship here with us. We welcome you! We want you here with us!
And for those who feel a bit too confident, you have a job to do as well. Go to the Lord for your sense of self worth as well! Let it be from HIM and not from the attention you receive from others for being physically beautiful. Don't pile on another plastic surgery to your summer's to-do-list. Why not donate vanity's fund to an amazing ministry opportunity instead? I mean seriously, think of the people you could feed in a third world country instead of using it towards another Botox injection or another laser surgery for this or that.
Also, be modest with your attire. You might look like a runway model, but you don't have to dress like one, especially when you're at church. Let your witness draw others to Christ by how you act and ALSO by what you wear. If your "short" shorts don't actually cover your behind, then they're too short. And if your bathing suit covers less than your undies do, then it's too small. Certainly, it's one thing if you're in a friend's backyard with the gals working on a tan, but not if you're at a group event with the guys who WILL struggle with lust because of it.
Keep it practical and decide what your goal is before you even get dressed; if you don't pre-think it, then your human longings will dictate your outfit for you. Temptation will step in like a crisp piece of forbidden fruit and before you know it, you're dressed to flaunt it. Are you wearing that low-cut shirt so that so-and-so will notice you? Or are you choosing to wear the extra tank under that low-cut one so he will have an easier time sitting next to you as he listens to Pastor Matt's sermon?
Make sure you take this challenge seriously because it's a relevant issue in our culture today. And it's one where Christians tend to blend in with the world, especially during the long and hot summer months. Of course we all fall short in this area, whether we're single, engaged, or married. The truth is, we all like to turn a few heads because it makes us feel cool, accepted, and attractive. But when we become deceived by Satan's lies, we need to rethink our mindset.
Our value shouldn't come from other people's accolades of our physical beauty. We should long for spiritual affirmation instead that is based upon our spiritual maturity, our growth in the Lord, and our faithfulness to God's eternal agenda for our lives. By choosing to dress modestly and by getting our acceptance from God instead of from the world, we honor Him and we also protect our fellow believers from stumbling.
Imagine in both cases, how our world would be different if physical beauty wasn't the primary goal in most people's lives. Gals and guys often feel downcast because they don't look good enough on the outside. Ironically, even the "perfectly" figured lucky-ducks often feel like they're STILL inadequate. In both situations, people just want to be loved and accepted for who they are on the inside. I mean, it's pretty messed up when neither group is happy. The truth is that no-one's really content without the Lord in the center of their life. And that means obedience to GOD alone and to HIS agenda for how we live.
Instead of trying to look amazing for the world's favor, let's focus on spiritual pursuits, like the one Paul challenges us with in Ephesians:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13).
So then Paul gives a ton of detail about the Believer's attire. He clues us in about the outfit that we all need to wear whether we're the ones who struggle with poor self esteem or those who battle with pride and arrogance. Check it out:
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (verses 14-17).
In closing, remember who you are! Whichever way you slice it, you will struggle. You'll think you're too lame or you'll focus on how you're too amazing. But don't despair! Grab your Bible and get on your knees. Pray!!! Ask the Lord to help you so that you can focus on His plans for your summer. Think about how you can honor the Lord with your time, money, and talents while dressing appropriately to all those barbecues, birthday parties, and baseball games. And just to challenge you with one more awesome passage of Scripture, check out Paul's sobering admonition in Romans:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will" (12: 1+2, my parenthesis added).
But there are some things we dread, like getting into a bathing suit so we can splash around in the pool to avoid the oppressive heat. Or putting on that tight pair of shorts that seemed to be a lot looser last summer. But maybe you're not one of those insecure types; in contrast, you feel incredibly comfortable in your silky smooth skin, which means that your struggle is a bit different. You long for people to notice your sculpted legs and your toned abs. You crave the attention and dress accordingly to show off that new tattoo that decorates your lower back. Or maybe it's that new skin-tight tank that you bought to show off what you've got???
As Christians, we walk a fine line, a tightrope really. Or you could call it a double edged sword. On the one hand, we should be confident in ourselves, certain of who we are in Christ, not caving in to low self esteem. Yet on the other side, we need to be very careful how we express that satisfaction, by representing Christ at all times. If you feel offended so far, please keep reading because God truly does care about the issue of body image in our culture and in our church. So stick with me!
For those who feel depressed because they aren't pretty enough, tall enough, tan enough or whatever else "enough" comes to your mind, you need to rest in your true identity in Christ! You must surrender your heart, body, and mind over to the Lord in order to find immeasurable value from His perfect love. The truth is that Satan wants you to feel like you're a loser. If he can keep you trapped in that lie, then he knows you'll never win. You'll even avoid certain ministry opportunities because you'll think you're inadequate for the job. But remember, you were bought with a price, the one that cost Jesus His life. So don't let the enemy claim that victory. Instead, attack Satan with this Biblical truth:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:14-16).
If that passage isn't enough to get you back on track, start right at the beginning of the Bible and read from Genesis:
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air...' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good..." (from Genesis 1:26, 27, 31).
You are incredibly valuable. You matter to God and you also matter to me and to a ton of other people here at Sandals Church. We care about your heart and not so much about what you look like. You aren't too ugly, too fat, too skinny, or too different looking to worship here with us. We welcome you! We want you here with us!
And for those who feel a bit too confident, you have a job to do as well. Go to the Lord for your sense of self worth as well! Let it be from HIM and not from the attention you receive from others for being physically beautiful. Don't pile on another plastic surgery to your summer's to-do-list. Why not donate vanity's fund to an amazing ministry opportunity instead? I mean seriously, think of the people you could feed in a third world country instead of using it towards another Botox injection or another laser surgery for this or that.
Also, be modest with your attire. You might look like a runway model, but you don't have to dress like one, especially when you're at church. Let your witness draw others to Christ by how you act and ALSO by what you wear. If your "short" shorts don't actually cover your behind, then they're too short. And if your bathing suit covers less than your undies do, then it's too small. Certainly, it's one thing if you're in a friend's backyard with the gals working on a tan, but not if you're at a group event with the guys who WILL struggle with lust because of it.
Keep it practical and decide what your goal is before you even get dressed; if you don't pre-think it, then your human longings will dictate your outfit for you. Temptation will step in like a crisp piece of forbidden fruit and before you know it, you're dressed to flaunt it. Are you wearing that low-cut shirt so that so-and-so will notice you? Or are you choosing to wear the extra tank under that low-cut one so he will have an easier time sitting next to you as he listens to Pastor Matt's sermon?
Make sure you take this challenge seriously because it's a relevant issue in our culture today. And it's one where Christians tend to blend in with the world, especially during the long and hot summer months. Of course we all fall short in this area, whether we're single, engaged, or married. The truth is, we all like to turn a few heads because it makes us feel cool, accepted, and attractive. But when we become deceived by Satan's lies, we need to rethink our mindset.
Our value shouldn't come from other people's accolades of our physical beauty. We should long for spiritual affirmation instead that is based upon our spiritual maturity, our growth in the Lord, and our faithfulness to God's eternal agenda for our lives. By choosing to dress modestly and by getting our acceptance from God instead of from the world, we honor Him and we also protect our fellow believers from stumbling.
Imagine in both cases, how our world would be different if physical beauty wasn't the primary goal in most people's lives. Gals and guys often feel downcast because they don't look good enough on the outside. Ironically, even the "perfectly" figured lucky-ducks often feel like they're STILL inadequate. In both situations, people just want to be loved and accepted for who they are on the inside. I mean, it's pretty messed up when neither group is happy. The truth is that no-one's really content without the Lord in the center of their life. And that means obedience to GOD alone and to HIS agenda for how we live.
Instead of trying to look amazing for the world's favor, let's focus on spiritual pursuits, like the one Paul challenges us with in Ephesians:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13).
So then Paul gives a ton of detail about the Believer's attire. He clues us in about the outfit that we all need to wear whether we're the ones who struggle with poor self esteem or those who battle with pride and arrogance. Check it out:
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (verses 14-17).
In closing, remember who you are! Whichever way you slice it, you will struggle. You'll think you're too lame or you'll focus on how you're too amazing. But don't despair! Grab your Bible and get on your knees. Pray!!! Ask the Lord to help you so that you can focus on His plans for your summer. Think about how you can honor the Lord with your time, money, and talents while dressing appropriately to all those barbecues, birthday parties, and baseball games. And just to challenge you with one more awesome passage of Scripture, check out Paul's sobering admonition in Romans:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will" (12: 1+2, my parenthesis added).
Labels: Bible, body image, Christian
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
true friendship
When a friend goes through a tough time, remember to reach out to her, even in the awkward moments. It's always easy to shoot the breeze about favorite tv shows, to discuss next year's teacher picks, or to complain about how messy your house is. But what do you do about the friend with a terminally ill child? What about the one whose husband leaves her? How about the neighbor whose husband died a year ago, but she still grieves?
My challenge to you is direct and forthright: be a good friend. One of my close friends has a very sick child who is having surgery this weekend to remove serious tumors connected up with his incurable disease. Sometimes, I don't know how to help even though I want to be there for her. But today, my instincts kicked in as I listened to her, hugged her, and prayed with her. It can feel strange to enter into those private moments with other people, but it's worthwhile. That's what makes you a true friend.
When my neighbor lost her husband a year ago, we decided to show her we cared by serving her with love and assistance. When her backyard started going nuts, my husband went over to help her with the pipes. When her roof sprung a leak, my husband helped again. I shared one of my favorite devotional books with her that has helped me over the years. And whenever I'm at Sprout's I try to get an extra melon for the kids to walk over to her house.
Recently, I had to take the higher ground with another friend. We had texted a plethora of texts about this and that. But before long, we had gotten into a huge misunderstanding. I got incredibly hurt. She got unbelievably defensive. And weeks of confusion ensued. She ignored me. I reached out but felt betrayed and mistreated. And in the end, I felt all that I could do was to pray for our friendship, to apologize for my contribution, and to forgive her for her subsequent actions toward me.
The more I talk to moms and encounter REAL conversations, it seems that lots of women are incredibly lonely. I sometimes think that's because they are not willing to go deeper in their friendships. Being real means taking risks. It means that you might have to cry with someone over her incredibly sick child. You could be required to pray with someone over a lost loved one even though you don't usually pray out loud even by yourself. And ultimately you will be called to forgive her seven times seventy times if you want to be a great friend.
In the end, you'll see that it's worth all the work. You won't be lonely anymore. And you'll feel fulfilled knowing that you've spent your life being a good friend to others. Share your thoughts about friendship here! We'd love to hear from you. Keeping it real! :)
My challenge to you is direct and forthright: be a good friend. One of my close friends has a very sick child who is having surgery this weekend to remove serious tumors connected up with his incurable disease. Sometimes, I don't know how to help even though I want to be there for her. But today, my instincts kicked in as I listened to her, hugged her, and prayed with her. It can feel strange to enter into those private moments with other people, but it's worthwhile. That's what makes you a true friend.
When my neighbor lost her husband a year ago, we decided to show her we cared by serving her with love and assistance. When her backyard started going nuts, my husband went over to help her with the pipes. When her roof sprung a leak, my husband helped again. I shared one of my favorite devotional books with her that has helped me over the years. And whenever I'm at Sprout's I try to get an extra melon for the kids to walk over to her house.
Recently, I had to take the higher ground with another friend. We had texted a plethora of texts about this and that. But before long, we had gotten into a huge misunderstanding. I got incredibly hurt. She got unbelievably defensive. And weeks of confusion ensued. She ignored me. I reached out but felt betrayed and mistreated. And in the end, I felt all that I could do was to pray for our friendship, to apologize for my contribution, and to forgive her for her subsequent actions toward me.
The more I talk to moms and encounter REAL conversations, it seems that lots of women are incredibly lonely. I sometimes think that's because they are not willing to go deeper in their friendships. Being real means taking risks. It means that you might have to cry with someone over her incredibly sick child. You could be required to pray with someone over a lost loved one even though you don't usually pray out loud even by yourself. And ultimately you will be called to forgive her seven times seventy times if you want to be a great friend.
In the end, you'll see that it's worth all the work. You won't be lonely anymore. And you'll feel fulfilled knowing that you've spent your life being a good friend to others. Share your thoughts about friendship here! We'd love to hear from you. Keeping it real! :)
Labels: forgiveness, friendship, real
Friday, May 06, 2011
Excerpt #15, from pages 99-101 from STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
A few hours later, you won’t believe what happened. Jen ran up to us and told me that Jared had proposed to her there at the club. He must have brought the ring aboard the ship or bought one the day before. At any rate, Jen accepted and there was a pastor on board who decided he would marry them that very night. But it gets weirder. So sit down if you’re not already seated. Molly caught wind of the excitement and told Jadan that she really did want to be married. So he actually lowered himself from his wheelchair and faced her from his knees asking her to officially marry him since they’d already done the live-together thing, the kid thing, and the subsequent separation thing, and then the get-back-together thing.
So two weddings were planned for the next half an hour. Both couples went back to their cabins to change into the nicest dresses they’d brought and I did the same. The pastor asked us if we wanted to renew our vows while he was at it and since we were coming up on our thirteen year wedding anniversary in May, we decided to go for it! Why not? So, it would be a triple wedding of sorts. As fate had it, I happened to pack my wedding necklace since it was simple but elegant with one lovely pearl wrapped inside of a platinum molded flower. I was getting so excited and even a bit nervous, but why? I guess it was just the energy and the spontaneity of the whole thing. I sure was glad that Eric still wanted me after thirteen years of marriage and almost seven years of dating. At this point in life, marriage was starting to actually get easier. Intimacy was more real. Struggles merged and we were a team. And now my brilliant and crazy idea for this triple-date cruise was turning into a huge success for all of us.
We all raced up to the front of the ship on the upper deck where we could see the pastor adjusting his tie and his black suit jacket. He held a red leather Bible in his hands and even had a boutonnière on his breast pocket. It’s weird how pastors are just prepared for this kind of stuff. And if someone dies they could just turn around and perform the funeral the next hour. I don’t think I could ever be a pastor or a banker. Couldn’t exactly be a doctor either since I hate the sight of blood. But anyways, I should try to focus on these vow renewals. I’m gonna have to find someone who can take some pics because the kids will love them. My mom will think they’re great as well.
“Excuse me Mam, would you mind watching this wedding and our vow renewals and taking some pictures for us? I’ll pay you fifty bucks,” I said in my most charming sun-kissed voice.
“Oh sure thing Darling. But I’ll do it for free. Do you mind if our whole family watches you guys?” she asked in the sweetest middle-aged southern voice.
“Oh please, make yourself at home,” I said sounding odd, as if this were my ship or something. Of course they could watch; it was a public ceremony after all.
Jen, Jared, Molly and Jadan all said their “I do’s” while Eric and I said “I still do.” The ceremony was only like five minutes long. Rings were exchanged, or re-exchanged for Eric and me. And I’m not quite sure about this, but Eric snuck in some gorgeous red roses somehow just after the kiss. They looked strangely like the ones from one of the tables at the club, but I wasn’t going to judge him for his altruistic deed. Meanwhile onlookers clapped and cheered. All three couples kissed while the Atlantic’s evening sky twirled and danced with pinks and purples, mixed with oranges and blues. It was the most picturesque sky I’d seen in my thirty five years of life. So I counted it a huge blessing that I got to be a part of this wonderful night and this wonderful promise of commitment between the six of us.
My best friend was finally married and to a guy who I’d totally misjudged and written off as creepy and egotistical. Jadan was happily and officially committed to his daughter’s mother once again. And Eric and I were more in love than ever before. The night’s fun continued on but I can’t tell you all of those details here. Those are private, obviously. Meanwhile the picture lady named Karen, turned out to be the perfect photographer. She got like fifty shots of us and took some video as well. It turns out her husband owns a small camera shop in Atlanta, so she had certainly been the right person to ask. She put my camera on all different kinds of settings, even ones that I’d never discovered in the three years I’d owned it. The pastor sent us to sign official documents before we returned to our cabins. He even printed out an unofficial one for us to sign for our vow renewals. The more I thought about the evening, I felt really thankful and joyful. I’d never realized how important thirteen years was for me until I reminisced about that being the year that my own parents had gotten their divorce. We really wanted our marriage to go differently, for the better. And making it to thirteen was a huge mile-stone, especially since things were going so well for us and our family.
The next morning, we all got room service and stayed in our cabins until lunchtime. Why rush the morning when you don’t have to, right? I called the operator to see if I could find a place on the ship to develop our pictures. And I actually found one for only one arm and a leg. But it was worth it to spread the love and to hand them out to Jen and to Molly, to make it feel official. You know how people sometimes do crazy things on cruise-ships that they regret the next day? Well that wasn’t the case with our group of six. Everyone seemed very purposeful and peaceful when we joined up for a late lunch around two in the afternoon. Caesar salads and shrimp cocktails filled the table, along with scrumptious warm rolls and a variety of soups and sandwiches.
In contrast to the first few days of the cruise, we were all getting along so well now and felt united as friends; the recently captured bonds of commitment and love changed things for the better. It felt like we should be inside of a book or a screenplay. Who knows, maybe I’ll squeeze it into my book somehow if I could ever get some time to work on that darn thing. I think I left it with the female protagonist, Dianne, trying to figure out what to do with Alvin residing in their attached attic apartment. That would have to wait though. For now, we were busy being in love.
So two weddings were planned for the next half an hour. Both couples went back to their cabins to change into the nicest dresses they’d brought and I did the same. The pastor asked us if we wanted to renew our vows while he was at it and since we were coming up on our thirteen year wedding anniversary in May, we decided to go for it! Why not? So, it would be a triple wedding of sorts. As fate had it, I happened to pack my wedding necklace since it was simple but elegant with one lovely pearl wrapped inside of a platinum molded flower. I was getting so excited and even a bit nervous, but why? I guess it was just the energy and the spontaneity of the whole thing. I sure was glad that Eric still wanted me after thirteen years of marriage and almost seven years of dating. At this point in life, marriage was starting to actually get easier. Intimacy was more real. Struggles merged and we were a team. And now my brilliant and crazy idea for this triple-date cruise was turning into a huge success for all of us.
We all raced up to the front of the ship on the upper deck where we could see the pastor adjusting his tie and his black suit jacket. He held a red leather Bible in his hands and even had a boutonnière on his breast pocket. It’s weird how pastors are just prepared for this kind of stuff. And if someone dies they could just turn around and perform the funeral the next hour. I don’t think I could ever be a pastor or a banker. Couldn’t exactly be a doctor either since I hate the sight of blood. But anyways, I should try to focus on these vow renewals. I’m gonna have to find someone who can take some pics because the kids will love them. My mom will think they’re great as well.
“Excuse me Mam, would you mind watching this wedding and our vow renewals and taking some pictures for us? I’ll pay you fifty bucks,” I said in my most charming sun-kissed voice.
“Oh sure thing Darling. But I’ll do it for free. Do you mind if our whole family watches you guys?” she asked in the sweetest middle-aged southern voice.
“Oh please, make yourself at home,” I said sounding odd, as if this were my ship or something. Of course they could watch; it was a public ceremony after all.
Jen, Jared, Molly and Jadan all said their “I do’s” while Eric and I said “I still do.” The ceremony was only like five minutes long. Rings were exchanged, or re-exchanged for Eric and me. And I’m not quite sure about this, but Eric snuck in some gorgeous red roses somehow just after the kiss. They looked strangely like the ones from one of the tables at the club, but I wasn’t going to judge him for his altruistic deed. Meanwhile onlookers clapped and cheered. All three couples kissed while the Atlantic’s evening sky twirled and danced with pinks and purples, mixed with oranges and blues. It was the most picturesque sky I’d seen in my thirty five years of life. So I counted it a huge blessing that I got to be a part of this wonderful night and this wonderful promise of commitment between the six of us.
My best friend was finally married and to a guy who I’d totally misjudged and written off as creepy and egotistical. Jadan was happily and officially committed to his daughter’s mother once again. And Eric and I were more in love than ever before. The night’s fun continued on but I can’t tell you all of those details here. Those are private, obviously. Meanwhile the picture lady named Karen, turned out to be the perfect photographer. She got like fifty shots of us and took some video as well. It turns out her husband owns a small camera shop in Atlanta, so she had certainly been the right person to ask. She put my camera on all different kinds of settings, even ones that I’d never discovered in the three years I’d owned it. The pastor sent us to sign official documents before we returned to our cabins. He even printed out an unofficial one for us to sign for our vow renewals. The more I thought about the evening, I felt really thankful and joyful. I’d never realized how important thirteen years was for me until I reminisced about that being the year that my own parents had gotten their divorce. We really wanted our marriage to go differently, for the better. And making it to thirteen was a huge mile-stone, especially since things were going so well for us and our family.
The next morning, we all got room service and stayed in our cabins until lunchtime. Why rush the morning when you don’t have to, right? I called the operator to see if I could find a place on the ship to develop our pictures. And I actually found one for only one arm and a leg. But it was worth it to spread the love and to hand them out to Jen and to Molly, to make it feel official. You know how people sometimes do crazy things on cruise-ships that they regret the next day? Well that wasn’t the case with our group of six. Everyone seemed very purposeful and peaceful when we joined up for a late lunch around two in the afternoon. Caesar salads and shrimp cocktails filled the table, along with scrumptious warm rolls and a variety of soups and sandwiches.
In contrast to the first few days of the cruise, we were all getting along so well now and felt united as friends; the recently captured bonds of commitment and love changed things for the better. It felt like we should be inside of a book or a screenplay. Who knows, maybe I’ll squeeze it into my book somehow if I could ever get some time to work on that darn thing. I think I left it with the female protagonist, Dianne, trying to figure out what to do with Alvin residing in their attached attic apartment. That would have to wait though. For now, we were busy being in love.
Labels: excerpt #15, Stream of Consciousness
