A New Adventure

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13: 4-8 

My husband retired in July. Tell me, Ladies, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Shortly after we were married, 41 years ago, my father-in-law retired. From that day on, my dear mother-in-law had no life of her own, except for when Dad went fishing. I watched their lives and I feared the day that my guy would retire. So we began to discuss retirement early on and how we would handle it, making sure that Jim understood that I had a life and that it was important for me to do my own thing. And that he could not move me to Florida or somewhere away from my friends and family!

Jim has worked in education for 42 years and he has accomplished great things. He even has a building named in his honor. But when it comes to the home, that has always been my territory and it will take me a while to share it. Do I sound like a selfish, spoiled child?

Just so you know, Jim and I have the most wonderful marriage that you can ever imagine and I know that this new chapter of our life will be just as good as the other chapters have been. I have said many times that I feel sorry for anyone that isn’t us … we are so in love! So, I am not afraid of this new adventure. God has a plan for our retirement, just like He has always guided our lives. I will keep you posted!

Patricia Harvey

It’s Rarely about the Coffee

Women are a curious bunch but God made us this way. When we call a friend to meet for coffee, it is rarely about the coffee. We mostly want the conversation and the friendship. We seem to have a need to talk to someone we trust and isn’t “over coffee,” the very best way to do that? In fact, I told my husband recently that I have a Coffee Ministry.

For the first 30 years of our marriage, Jim never drank coffee. It just didn’t seem right to me for us to be out on our weekly date night, talking after dinner, and him having a Coke while I was holding my hot coffee. He even offered to have his Coke served in a cup, but I said that that wouldn’t do. Out of love for me, he has developed a taste for coffee, as long as it has plenty of French Vanilla creamer in it.
But as much as I love having coffee and talking with Jim, I still have the need to get together with a friend now and then and have girl talk. When a friend calls you and ask to meet for coffee, don’t say, “I already had my coffee today.” Realize that it isn’t really about the coffee; she probably has a desire to talk and she chose you!

PS: Nicole Johnson’s book, Fresh Brewed Life is excellent. I have two extra copies from a Bible study that I did. If you would like one, let me know.

Patricia Harvey

Introspective Perspective

When I was asked to write for this blog, I was concerned that I didn’t have anything “deep” enough to share. Five years ago, I would have been able to come up with all kinds of deep, meaningful, and spiritual nuggets. I began to ponder why I wasn’t as introspective as I used to be. God gave me the answer.

Five years ago I got married at the age of 38. Before marriage, I would spend time with Jesus at night. I’d snuggle into bed, quiet down for the day, and the Lord and I would talk. No matter what I was going through, I felt completely wrapped in His love. I was also a missionary on the home front; I was a single woman with purpose! Ministry forced me to be introspective and open to hearing from the Lord. I used to ask him constantly to keep me humble, in love with Him and His people, and open to His leading. It was all my heart wanted.

Enter husband. I had to adjust to sharing my space and time with someone 24/7. No longer could I come home from work and just flop; I had wifely duties. My focus really shifted. This week, however, I’ve been reminded of a verse: 1 Corinthians 7:34

… An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs; her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world — how she can please her husband.

So, it has begun to click for me. Those many years of being single were a blessing, a very special time. Being married is also a blessing. I believe it’s an act of worship on my part to care for, love and take care of my husband and home. What I need to learn is balance. Writing this article has caused me to be introspective, at least for today. I’m encouraged to begin to take the steps needed to get to that sweet place again. I realize it’s going to look different than it did back in the day, but that’s okay because this is my journey, and I’ve invited the Lord to be a part of it.

Sally Hall