Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

  • Home
  • About
  • Favorites
  • Policies
  • Contact

Spending a Weekend With My 1st and 2nd Loves And Grace & Truth Link-up

January 23, 2020 by Lauren 34 Comments

Photo by Dustin Scarpitti on Unsplash

My husband and I just celebrated our 21st year together.  Truly something to commemorate.  I’m not sure why I get to be married to him, and the rest of you ladies have to settle for someone else; but no one said life is fair.

 

We knew we needed to “get away”, but initially struggled with where to go.  It’s been a while since we’ve traveled someplace interesting because…life.  But after analyzing things like childcare, time and available funds, we opted for a practically free stay at my in-laws lake house.  I must admit that, at first, I was kind of bratty about it.  I have visited Canyon Lake many, many times in the last 21 years so the idea didn’t seem fun or special.  But for us, for now, it seemed most prudent.  Prudent.  Isn’t that a romantic word?

 

No matter.  The last couple of months handed us more on a platter than we thought we could handle.  Family crisis, the death of a dear friend, job loss for friends and family, job changes and stresses for us and major insurance issues.  We have cried enough tears to be dehydrated.  So in the end, it didn’t really matter where we went.  We just needed a break from our regular routine and an escape from the fruit of our loins.

 

That fruit didn’t make it easy.  Allie had a youth retreat weekend at church, but had to work out transportation and other issues.  And when she gets stressed, the rest of us feel it.  And Shelby.  Arranging care for a 19 year old who needs lots of help is not easy.  Especially now that our parents are getting older.  They are still perfectly capable and generously willing, but we often worry that it could be too much.

 

Chuck’s parents agreed to keep Shelby for two nights, and my parents stepped in to help with Allie’s logistics.  Shelby started the weekend with an ear infection, two straight days of seizure activity, and multiple blow out diapers.  If you think an infant’s blow out diaper is savage, you should see one from a 19 year old.  But everything settled down enough for us to vacate and manage to relax.

 

My husband and I spent the whole first day playing.  We shopped, ate pizza, and saw two movies in a row at a theater.  With snack.  Just because we could.  Then we drove out to the lake house and had a romantic evening with no child sleeping in our room.  Just what we needed.  But I think our non-plans for day two excited me even more.

 

Sunday we agreed to sit still and enjoy a lot of quiet.  As much as we needed to focus on each other, I desperately needed to spend time with my first love – Jesus.  I spend time with Him every day.  But just like I see my husband every day, our time together is often rushed, unfocused and crowded in with lots of other things.  I needed time to savor my Savior.  And I did.

 

I sat in a cozy recliner and looked at the lake through five foot windows while I prayed, read my bible and live streamed our church’s service.  I researched scripture and I took notes.  I took walks out in the world He created.  And most importantly, I didn’t rush a thing.

 

Maybe we’ve started a new tradition.  Maybe anniversary weekends will no longer be about what we can do, but what we can not do.  I’m really not sure of much past just this minute.  But I know this year I really needed to just linger with my first two loves.

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[ Psalm 91:1 NIV

 

Now for an exciting announcement!  I have been invited to join the Grace & Truth team and will be hosting a blog link-up here every Friday!  For those of you who are readers only, I will continue to post the original content you have come to expect.  But there will also be an opportunity for writers to share their work here with you!

Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link UpGrace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

 

 

Maree Dee

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Lauren Sparks

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Heather Hart & Valerie Riese

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.)  Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory, but appreciated!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community among us, so please don’t link and run!

4.) We sort all links randomly – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

Featured Post Requirements

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory, but it is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to emphasize and promote via their social media channels next week.


Grab a Badge and Link Back to this Post.

 

And now, let’s link up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

 

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Bible reading, Christian, Jesus, marriage, parenting, special needs Tagged With: anniversary, time with God, weekend trip

Comments

  1. Valerie Riese says

    January 24, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    Welcome to Grace & Truth link up, Lauren! We’re so pleased to have you!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 24, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      Thank you, Valerie! I look forward to getting to know you better!

      Reply
  2. Martha J Orlando says

    January 24, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    So glad you could have a restful getaway with your husband, Lauren – it sure sounded like you needed it!
    The link up sounds like so much fun, but I follow so many blogs at the moment, I may wait a while to see what I can work out. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy your posts as always!
    Blessings!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 24, 2020 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you for being a faithful reader-friend, Martha.

      Reply
  3. Katrina Hamel says

    January 24, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    Happy Anniversary!!

    What a lovely little get-away! The idea of spending a day in uninterrupted time with Jesus sounds like bliss.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 24, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      It absolutely was, Katrina.

      Reply
  4. Mary Geisen says

    January 26, 2020 at 2:19 am

    Congrats on co-hosting Grace and truth linkup. Happy anniversary. It sounds like your weekend away was exactly what you needed.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 26, 2020 at 8:28 pm

      Thank you, Mary. It was.

      Reply
  5. Sarah @ In Pleasant Places says

    January 26, 2020 at 7:48 am

    So thankful that there are still parties to link up to! I have just found your blog and it is beautiful and welcoming, can’t wait to come back!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 26, 2020 at 8:27 pm

      Oh, thank you so much, Sarah! And welcome to the Grace & Truth link up. So glad to virtually meet you here.

      Reply
  6. Heather says

    January 28, 2020 at 8:17 pm

    What a perfect anniversary get away!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 28, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      It definitely was.

      Reply
  7. Tanya says

    January 28, 2020 at 8:20 pm

    I’m so glad you got some time away from all your responsibilities. You have a lot resting on your shoulders, and it’s so good that you were able to get some rest.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 28, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      It was so good, Tanya. Thank you.

      Reply
  8. Kate Holmes says

    January 28, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    Sounds like you really deserved time out after so many challenges. All the very best moving forwards and faith is a powerful tool to have to contend with life #DreamTeam

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 28, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      Faith in God’s goodness and plan for my life keeps me going.

      Reply
  9. nylse says

    January 28, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Psalms 91:1 – I call that 911 verse. When I need help he is there.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 28, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      I LOVE that!

      Reply
  10. Shelbee on the Edge says

    January 29, 2020 at 10:01 pm

    Lauren, it sounds like you had a wonderful anniversary getaway and one that was much needed and deserved! Happy Anniversary to you both! And congratulations on the link up! I wish you much success with it. I love hosting link ups. They are such a great way to meet new bloggers and build a bigger and stronger community!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 29, 2020 at 10:35 pm

      Thank you, Shelbee. I hope to make many friends the same way I met you!

      Reply
  11. Karen Del Tatto says

    January 29, 2020 at 10:38 pm

    Sounds like you had a restorative get-away. I LOVE lake houses! What a blessing to have one to use for free!

    Congratulations on joining the Grace & Truth Link-up Team

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 30, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      It is a blessing. Thank you, Karen.

      Reply
  12. Patsy Burnette says

    January 30, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    Happy anniversary, Lauren!!! 🙂

    Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 30, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      Thank you, Patsy.

      Reply
  13. Barbara Harper says

    January 30, 2020 at 10:35 pm

    Happy anniversary! I’m so glad you had that weekend! We were in similar circumstances for our 40th. We had not gone anywhere in ten years due to my husband’s mother’s care. Even though we just went close by, it was so refreshing.

    Congratulations on being a new host for Grace and Truth!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 30, 2020 at 11:20 pm

      Thank you, Barbara!

      Reply
  14. Laurie says

    January 30, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    Sounds like the perfect weekend getaway! Happy Anniversary, Lauren.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 30, 2020 at 11:20 pm

      Thank you, Laurie.

      Reply
  15. Maree Dee says

    February 2, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    Happy Anniversary! It sounds like you had a perfect weekend.

    Recently my husband and I planned a few days away to ski. I ended up getting the flu pretty bad and was too weak to ski. We ended up having a tranquil few days away.

    At first, I was so disappointed and felt like I had put a damper on our time. But God is so good. I had tons of time to be still and hear God’s voice. My husband and I had tons of time to talk, ponder life, and make some decisions that think will be good for us this year.

    We think we might make this an annual event. It was fabulous.

    However, hopefully, next time, I will slow down without having to be ill.

    I am so glad you are part of Grace & Truth.

    Maree

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 2, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      Thank you, Maree. I am so blessed that you asked.

      Reply
  16. Kirsty Hall says

    February 3, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    Great to have you on the #DreamTeam linky. Please do add our badge when you next link up

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 3, 2020 at 2:39 pm

      Hi Kirsty! Your badge is there. At the bottom of each of my posts I have a link to the link ups I visit. Too many to put on main page. Thank you for hosting!

      Reply
  17. Annette, 3 Little Buttons says

    February 4, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    What a fantastic getaway. It can sometimes feel like we must do something special, go somewhere new, experience what others might define as a ‘must do’ on important dates and occasions, but, there is so much that can be said about getting away and being at peace. Doing nothing, yet taking everything in. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the #Dreamteam.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 5, 2020 at 6:14 pm

      It was just what I needed Annette. Thank you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
Read More

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your information below to receive the latest updates from the blog!

Recent Posts

  • I’ve Got Tears in My Ears (and Other Funny Titles)
  • Verse Mapping Joy!
  • Grace Upon Grace
  • First Friday Prayers: Prayer for the Caregiver
  • The Grand Finale of February

Find Devotionals By Me in These Books and Click on Image for Order Information!

A 25-Week Bible Study with Topics from Abide to Zeal
A 26 week journey to a better prayer life.
30 devotionals for faith that moves mountains

For Sharing

Lauren Sparks

Like Podcasts? I’m on This One

…and This One! click to listen.

Click below to get a free trial of my favorite technology monitoring platform

Need More Than Just Monitoring? Find Filters and Accountability Here

Search This Site

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Lauren Sparks | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

Stop!  Don't Miss Out!

I have a brand new e-book.  This was Not On My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Related Surprises is available to you FREE by simply subscribing to my blog!  

Invalid email address
I promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!