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February 14, 2005

Most Applicable College Course

As my husband drove up the driveway after work today, our 4 boys went running to meet him with a chorus of "Dadda'a home!!" Even our 14 month old has learned the routine and has the cutiest "Dadda" and sounds like a warrior. As I sit on the porch step watching this wonderful play unfold Seth, our 7 year old, comes running around the corner and slaps his hands over my eyes and says "close your eyes!" Like I had a choice!! I hear John walk up and the hands leave my eyes. "Open your eyes!!" the excited choir sings. So I open my eyes and see

6 long stem roses!! 2 red, 2 purple, and 2 salmon. He knows I like color (our house has 9 different colors in it). He did good!!! Especially since he had already left me a Valentine's present before he went to work. (I recommend reading The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.)

Here's where the college course application comes in . . . Over the 13 years we've been married John has gotten me flowers quite a bit. Usually long stem, cut flowers because they are less expensive - a small sacrifice to be a stay at home mom. This is fine with me because I took "Flower Arranging" as part of my BS degree!! Frankly, it's the only practical course that I can apply.

So, for all you college students out there - take a practical course from the horticulture department (I know it still exists because my niece, Lindsey Myers, looked it up a few weeks ago). The added perk is that you get a fresh bouquet of flowers every week.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Posted by Vanessa at 11:44 PM | Comments (1)

February 10, 2005

An Undivided Heart . . .

This is an extended reply to Matt's Dating Blog . . .

As a picture of giving your heart, imagine a young girl who at age 17 or so has her first real "boyfriend". Many times she will "give" her heart to him emotionally. She will think of him all the time. Her world revolves around him. She's planning their future. Etc.

Exactly like the relationship God desires us to have with Him - no matter if we're married or not (sometimes women especially can think that if they are married ALL their needs, especially emotionally, will be met by their husband, but God did not design it that way). Maybe another way to term it is purity of heart. It's similar to emotional purity but more deeply rooted.

Now, remember that John and I were part of the student group a few years ago, and this is something that can happen with believers even WITHOUT a dating relationship. And it isn't exclusively for women although I think they are more susceptible because we tend to be more emotional. We need to rely on God to fill our hearts desires not someone else (although God will use other people to fill our desires). Psalm 86:11 Give me an undivided heart that I may not sin against you.

Scripture speaks a lot about our heart:
Pr. 4:23 Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
Pr. 14:30 A heart a peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (This reminds me of some gals that won't go to a wedding because they are "discouraged" that God isn't having them get married.) It's the beginning of bitterness.
Pr. 20:9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?"
Pr. 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. (I think about our 4 sons with this one desiring that their heart belongs to us until they are ready to give it to God for the very reason of the second part of the passage.)

It's a BIG and IMPORTANT topic to discuss in one session at the Rock. We'll be praying for you tomorrow, Matt!!

Posted by Vanessa at 11:56 PM | Comments (1)