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Meet Me in the Village







We waited for our daughter to pick us up in the Mexican Village.  My cell rang.  After that, everything changed.

I have always wanted to stay in the hotel across from Balboa Park. I imagined evening strolls within the fragrant flowers with a backdrop of San Diego’s skyline just over the bridge.  “If I could stay in one of those hotels across from Balboa, I’d wake up early enjoying the park along with the athletes jogging through the beauty paths and inhaling the moist morning air,” I often daydreamed.

I was given a gift, a two-night stay in one of the hotels!  The meet up with our daughter that first morning scheduled at 9:00 a.m., would give us ample time to enjoy a brisk walk, take some photos of the archaic structures, and grab breakfast before arriving on the other side, at the Mexican Village.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE
However, my dream date got off to a rocky start.  Before we even got to the park, the enemy of crabbiness invaded our relationship leaving us vulnerable to its ugly snappish claws.

We got the magic back. The fun began.














My phone rang just as we arrived in the Village.  Our daughter was behind schedule and wouldn’t show for 20 minutes.   We found a comfortable bench near the colorful carousal and relaxed.   We waited.

I broke the silence and thanked hubby for walking with me in my dream park.

Then he thanked me for being a good mom and grandmother.

And then I thanked him for all the improvements he has made on our home since he retired.

And then he thanked me for always taking the time to put my makeup on every morning (didn’t know that was important.) 

And then I thanked him for volunteering at the food pantry and lifting the heavy shipments off the trucks.

Our hearts lightened as oodles of thanksgiving flowed from us contagiously, almost like a game, until our girl arrived! 

She pulled up and apologized for being late.  I cut her off, “You’re timing was perfect; it gave your father and I a chance to reflect just how thankful we are…for everything.”   She shouted out with “Wow, you guys!”

Thankfulness is supernatural that way; it turns the whole day around!

In his series about Divine Interruptions, my pastor mentioned that the reason we dislike them is because interruptions invoke change.  Think about it.   It’s not easy to change, but necessary if we want to live the Christian Way, not by the flesh but by the Spirit.

The “I’ll be late” phone call was an interruption.  And God’s Spirit adjusted our moods as we followed the lead to engage in thanksgiving.  God did it in us by His Spirit not ours.

Not only does thankfulness improve a marriage relationship, but it also turns a bad attitude around.  Thankfulness is a power tool that this wife is keeping in our spiritual tool shed for maintenance!

Give thanks to the Lord
For He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34



Comments

  1. Creations By CindyMay 11, 2015 at 7:38 AM

    What an absolutely beautiful post this morning! Those daily interruptions can be God's Divine appointment! Thanks for sharing! I love it! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelissaMay 11, 2015 at 7:42 AM

    I like this a lot! I totally agree about thanksgiving turning around any negative situation. It's so easy to focus on what's wrong and forget about the myriad of things that are right.

    Stopping by from Inspire Me Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. bettyMay 11, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    Great reminder for us to take those moments we might be "inconveinced" and them into something more uplifting, like in your and your hubby's case gratefulness :)

    Now I'm trying to think what hotels are close to Balboa Park.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  4. blestbutstrestMay 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM

    I LOVE Balboa Park (especially during the Christmas season :) )! Thank you for sharing how you and your hubby escaped the claws of crabbiness!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen Del TattoMay 11, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    Great post!

    There have been many times where I have been blessed with God allowing me to see "why?" a divine interruption happened.

    I never thought about it that way in that an interruption does cause a "change in our plans". No wonder we can resist so easily because unfortunately, we tend to want what we want!

    I need to have a "Divine Outlook" in all circumstances. There would be a whole lot more gratitude and joy in my life.

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SharonMay 11, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    What a great story, Mary! Yup, gratitude is an attitude that we must intentionally cultivate. I must admit, I need to work on this more. Like today, I'm sick with the flu. But, I just thanked the Lord that I don't have a job and can afford to take it easy for the next couple of days. I feel better already!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  7. CeilMay 11, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    Hi Mary! You and your husband are just so darn cute! I can just imagine you two swapping compliments on that bench...what a beautiful sight.

    You could have easily been irritated by the interruption, but you made it a lasting love memory. That's the Holy Spirit working in both of you. Beautiful!
    Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMay 11, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    WOnderful perspective changing post. Give thanks for all things (including getting out of our sweats and putting on our faces! who knew ;) . Bless you and yours and thanks for sharing. coming to you this week from #TellMeATrueStory

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mevely317May 11, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    Good for you! Tom's compliment about your make-up just cracked me up!

    In all seriousness, yours is a valuable lesson. More often than not, when faced with a delay, I'm guilty of turning to my phone to see what I might have missed in the last 5 minutes. By copying your example, I wonder what dialog might ensue!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JoyMay 12, 2015 at 10:17 AM

    Very touching couple. You are so sweet to each other. Yes, by experience, I do thank my husband or give him nice words every day and we are really in love with each other. :)
    He is very sweet too!
    I supposed we are lucky my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  11. a joyful noiseMay 12, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    This is such a beautiful story of thanksgiving and being blessed. I am so glad that crabbiness was short lived and gratitude reigned instead. Your daughter was blessed too when she found the two of you happy and content. Thanks for sharing with us here at "Tell Me a True Story."

    ReplyDelete
  12. RCUBEsMay 12, 2015 at 5:59 PM

    Awesome! What beautiful moment to see all the true, loving reasons why you are both glued to each other...How evident of His love that binds you both! If every marriage can see this way, the stats of divorces would be unknown! But like what you said..."only by God's love and grace and truth!"

    Thank you for reminding me to always be grateful no matter what circumstances I'm facing...And to truly appreciate and love my hubby for who he is! I'm grateful to be given a loving and understanding husband. So, whining is truly not an option when we know the true God!

    Take care sister and Balboa is a nice place!

    ReplyDelete
  13. caryjoMay 13, 2015 at 7:58 PM

    I got the impression that everything was put beautifully for you re: the location and the family and friends. What a treat! You are a blessing, and you were blessed. That's a good thing!! I'm smiling!

    ReplyDelete
  14. CherylMay 13, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    This post brought tears to my eyes...I love how God uses those "Divine Interruptions" to give us a chance to adjust ourselves and realign our thinking. I know what you mean...change is usually something I cringe away from. But, I have found, too, that God often uses it to bring about something positive that needs to happen. He loves us too much to allow us to keep going down the wrong road, without a place to make a U-turn. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. It was such a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mary HillMay 14, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    I chuckled at the makeup comment. So sweet. I think all couples should have a thankful session like this at least once a week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sharita KnoblochMay 14, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    Well how cool is THAT? Totally didn't see it coming-- but I love it.

    It has been a challenging lesson for me to learn the last few years the importance of contentedness, thanksgiving and peace-- they are all intertwined.

    Thanks, gal!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Victor S E MoubarakMay 14, 2015 at 4:40 PM

    Greetings.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Susan Marlene May 15, 2015 at 4:44 AM

    What an uplifting and important post! I'm glad you both cooperated with God's divine interruptions and timing! :) Hugs to you! Oh I like your tool box also! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. stevevhanMay 17, 2015 at 11:07 PM

    "And then he thanked me for always taking the time to put my makeup on every morning (didn’t know that was important.) "

    That sure make me laugh! We also didn't see that coming. :)

    I just like to quote a lyrics from my favorite hillsong song, love is war "Turn my eyes to see Your face, where BURDEN TURNS TO WONDER" Glad that you actually made that turn. :)

    ReplyDelete

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